IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  {MT-3) 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IVIicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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> 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Noles/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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n 


D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  ceuleur 


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Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


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Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

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mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6X6  film6es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Comrnentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


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point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  methods  normals  de  fiimage 
sont  indiqu4s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


/ 


D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

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rrn  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

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Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
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obtenir  la  meiileure  image  possible. 


Tl 
tc 


Tl 

P' 
o- 
fll 


O 

b( 
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si 
oi 
fll 
si 

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Tl 
si 
Tl 
w 

hf^ 
dl 
ei 
b< 
ri< 
re 
m 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

7 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


2tX 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  hero  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Pwiblic 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  fiimA  fut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
gAnArosit*  de: 

La  bibliothdque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 


The  (mages  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
poobibie  considering  the  condition  end  legibility 
o ;  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  6tA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettet6  de  rexemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, or  the  beck  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplalres  origlnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  film6s  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exempiairos 
orlglnaux  sont  filmis  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  una  empreinte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  II  est  fllm6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  sulvants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Mh««a«i||| 


THE 


JOURNAL 


S:ETH     CROWEIili; 

CONTAINING  AN 

ACCOVJ^  OF  HIS  TRAVELS 

AS  A 

METHODIST  PREACHER, 

FOB    TWEKTE   YEABS. 


-WIUTTEir   BT   HIMSEKT. 


A  mtn*8  heart  deviseth  his  way,  but  the  LordilirecteUi 
his  steps.  Fbot.  xvi.  9. 


JVVw-Forfe: 

miNTED  BT  J.  O.   TOTTEN^  155  CHATHAM- 
STREET. 


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ADVERTISEMENT. 


W^HEN  I  first  began  to  write  my  Journal^  I 
had  no  thoughts  of  ever  making  it  public.  I 
wrote  some  few  things  merely  for  my  own  sat- 
isfaction>  and  for  the  satisfaction  of  my  rela- 
tives. For  two  or  three  years  I  almost  wholly 
neglected  to  keep  any  journal^  as  will  be  seen 
in  the  following  sheets :  and  I  have  noted  but 
a  few  things  which  occurred  in  each  year  of  my 
travels^  excepting  the  last  year  that  I  was  a 
missionary,  when  I  was  more  particular  in 
keeping  my  journal  than  I  had  been  any  pre- 
ceding year. 

I  cannot  say  that  I  have  ever  been  solicited 
by  any  person  to  publish  my  journal ;  but  I 
have  followed  my  own  judgment  and  inclination 
in  this  particular.  In  writing  it,  I  have  not 
studied  elegance  of  style,  so  much  as  I  hare 
simplicity  and  truth  in  my  relations.  I  have 
not  at  any  time,  while  writing  my  journal,  tried 


I 


to  hide  any  of  my  imperfections,  or  the  circum- 
stances of  my  parentage  or  private  life.  But 
have  purposely  exposed  them,  that  the  power  of 
divine  grace  may  shine  more  conspicuously 
>vhen  contrasted  with  the  weakness  of  the  in- 
strument wliich  the  Lord  has  used  to  effect  tlie 
great  and  glorious  work  of  salvation  in  the  souls 

of  men. 

fe.  C. 


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The  Journal,  &c* 


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itl^*''  ^'■^f^-'.^'^''  'i>':V>   ^.' 


t 


WAS  havti  in  the  year  1781,  in  the  town  of 
Tolland,  state  of  Connecticut.  When  I  was 
about  two  years  old,  my  parents  moved  to 
the  town  of  Chatham,  in  the  same  state.  My 
parents  never  belonged  to  any  particular 
church,  but  always  entertained  a  great  re- 
spect for  religion  and  religious  people.  They 
iiistructed  their  children  in  the  presby terian 
way.  At  a  very  early  period  of  our  lives, 
we  were  obliged  to  attend  the  presby  terian 
meeting,  read  our  bibles,  and  learn  our  cat^ 
echism.  My  father  (though  a  stranger  to 
experimental  religion  at  that  time,)  would ' 
often  exhort  us  to  refrain  from  all  immorali- 
ties, and  to  attend  to  all  the  outward  means 
of  grace;  and  would  also  tell  us  of  the  dread- 
ful consequences  that  would  acme  to  as  if  we 
disobeyed  the  Lord;  and  of  the  happiness 
that  would  attend  us,  if  we  were  obedient^ 


6 


i^ 


to  God.  I  used  often,  at  such  times,  to  feel 
much  convicted ;  and  would  frequently  retire 
in  secret,  and  pray  to  God,  and  form  resolu- 
tions to  serve  him  all  the  days  of  my  life.  I  felt 
at  these  times,  an  awful  dread  of  the  judg- 
ment day,  from  a  conviction  that  I  was  not 
fit  to  meet  God  in  judgment.  I  remember 
one  evening  of  hearing  njy  mother  and  eld- 
est sister  conversing  on  the  subject  of  the 
judgment  day:  my  sister  expressed  an  ap- 
prehension that  the  day  was  near,  and  would 
^oon  commence.  I  v;^as  struck  with  such  an 
awful  sense  of  my  undone  condition,  that  I 
burst  inlo  tears,  and  cried  aloud.  But  yet  I 
knew  not  the  way  to  be  any  better,  but  to 
live  a  sober  life,  which  I  was  resolved  tp  do. 
But  I  soon  broke  my  resolutions ;  and  as  I 
had  no  one  to  say  to  me,  "  This  is  the  way, 
walk  ye  in  it,"  I  had  no  consistent  views  of 
experimental  religion.  I  had  then  never 
beard  any  one  speak  of  a  change  of  heart : 
for  in  those  days,  and  in  that  place  where  I 
lived,  the  greatest  part  qf  the  professors  of 
religion  denied  that  such  a  thing  was  attaiI^> 
able  in  this  life,  as  the  knowledge  of  sins  hxf 
give»i    Nevertheless  my  convictions  did  not 


wholly  leave  me  till  I  was  sixteen  years  old, 
which  was  the  time  of  my  conversion  to  God. 
Yet  previous  to  this  I  often  run  into  wicked- 
ness of  various  kinds,  sueh  as  anger,  profane 
language,  and  sometinies  disobedience  to  my 
parents.  But  I  as  often  repented,  and  promise 
ed  reformation.  I  recollect  when  I  was  a- 
bout  eleven  years  old  of  being  in  the  field  at 
work  one  day,  when  1  got  very  angry,  and 
used  very  wicked  words ;  but  such  a  horror 
and  guilt  as  instantly  fell  upon  my  soul  is  be- 
yond the  power  of  words  to  describe.  I  fell 
instantly  to  the  ground,  and  cried  aloud  for 
mercy.  Then  T  thought  all  was  lost  forever 
»  I  had  sinned  against  the  Holy  Ghost.  Af* 
ter  continuing  in  this  situation  for  sometime, 
imploring  divine  mercy,  I  arose  and  direct- 
ed my  course  towards  the  house ;  but 
could  not  restrain  my  tears,  nor  refrain  from 
crying  aloud  for  some  time.  But  at  length 
I  got  to  the  house,  took  my  testament, 
and  qpened  to  these  words,  "Let  not  yoitr 
heart  be  troubled,  ye  believe  in  God,  be- 
lieve also  in  me.^  It  was  then  that  I  felt  a 
ray  of  light  and  hope  to  visit  my  mind.  But  I 
had  no  one  to  teach  me  the  way  to  God — no 
one  to  point  me  to  a  remedy  for  my  disease^ 


*-      » 


I  languished  in  thid  situation  fot  six 
months.  During  this  interim  I  often  went 
to  bed  under  awful  apprehensions  of  death 
and  destruction,  and  afl  dften  was  alarmed 
with  frightful  dreams.  The  day  of  judgment 
was  often  depicted  to  mj  frighted  imagina* 
tion>  in  scenes  the  most  terrific  that  can  be 
conceived,  whilst  asleep,  and  I  wou.W  awake 
all  trembling,  and  bathed  in  sweat,  as  cold  as 
clay ;  And  when  I  was  awake  my  mind  was 
in  a  continual  state  of  perterbation,  until 
toy  life  became  a  burden  to  me.  When 
morning  came  I  wished  for  night,  and  when 
night  came  I  wished  for  morning.  Some- 
times I  was  afraid  4o  skep,  lest  I  should  wake 
in  hell  >  At  other  tinaes  I  wished  for  death. 
Then  again,  when  I  realized  the  dreadfiil 
oonsequences  that  would  ensue,  I  wished 
that  I  inight  never  die.  I  often  envied  the 
meanest  reptile,  and.  wished  that  it  might 
have  been  my  lot  to  have  been  one  of  them. 

But  At  these  times  I  was  often  solicted  to 
gointorvde  company;  and  did  frequently 
go ;  but  could  not  avail  myself  of  any  means 
thai  would  afford'  relief  to  my  troubled 
mind»^   I*i  the  midst  of  my  laughter  audi 


i;:  ^  ..A,:'. 


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vs 


jollity,  my  soul  was  harrasscdVilh  the  most 
exquisite  tortures,  and  I  feJt  ready  to  sink 
into  hell.  Oh  how  glad  I  would  have  been 
.many  times  to  have  had  some  one  taken  me 
by  the  hand,  and  led  me  into  the  way  of 
righteousness.  But  so  little  did  I  know  of 
God,  or  what  he  would  have  me  do,  that  I 
expected  1  should  always  have  to  endure 
the  same  anguish  of  soul  if  I  would  be  re- 
ligious, and  save  my  scml  at  last.  I  have 
tfot  a  doubt  but  that  I  might  have  experien- 
ced religion  at  that  time,  if  I  could  have  had 
any  one  to  instruct  me  in  my  duty  to  God. 
At  those  times  I  often  kneeled  down  and 
prayed  to  God,  in  the  woods,  fields,  barn, 
or  any  where  when  alone ;  yet  I  had  nevet 
seen  any  person  kneel  to  pray  to  God  in  my 
life ;  but  the  practice  of  kneeling  to  pray  to 
God  was,,  by  the  generality  of  professors  of 
religion,  laughed  at  as  ridiculous. 

I  was  continued  at  school  the  most  of  my 
time,  until  I  was  sixteen  years  old.  The 
last  winter  that  I  went  to  school,  I  very 
nearly  lost  all  my  convictions ;  by  having  a 
wicked,  profligate  teacher,  I  was  led  into 
some  wicked  habits  that  I  bad  been  a  stran^ 


■":4. , "' 


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ger  to  before,  particularly  card-pfeLying.~^ 
My  father  finciiiig  me  to  grow  itiofe  dii^sipa- 
ted  than  I  had  ever  been  before,  took  me 
from  school,  and  put  me  out  to  a  trade.—  ' 
The  man  that  I  went  to  serve  my  time  with;^l 
was  a  Methodist  class^leader.  Soon  after  I 
went  to  live  with  him  I  felt  my  former  con- 
victions to  revive.  This  was  in  the  fall  df 
the  year— the  spring  following,  1797,  I  be- 
lieve the  Lord  graciously  converted  my 
soul :  Glory  to  his  holy  name. 

From,  this  time  I  went  on  my  way  rejbi*^ 
ing,  for  about  two  years ;  wheii  ian  unhappy 
drcumstance  occurred,  which  had  like  tb 
have  destroyed  all  my  reli^on.  We  parted 
{nay  master  and  I)  by  mutual  consent,  and  I 
hired  myself  to  a  presbylerian  inan:  hete  1 
had  jSghting  enough.  I  employed  allm;^ 
Vacant  hours  Hiis  year  in  studying. 

I  began  to  feel  much  exericised  about 
presOching,  this  year.  I  often  exhorted,  and 
felt  exceedingly  happy  while  in  this  eler- 
cise ;  but  as  soon  as  I  had  done,  I  felt  that 
I  could  not  have  a  constant  enjoyment, 
unless  i  was  continually  employed  in  tii4§ 
work.    At  these  times  I  often  wandered 


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into  the  fields  an j  woods,  and  thought  th^t 
I  was  the  most  solitary  being  living.  I  felt 
an  unwillingness  to  comply  with  what  I  felt 
was  my  duty,  Sometinaes  I  thought  my  ex- 
ercises must  be  from  Satan,  to  destroy  my 
peace :  at  such  times  I  wx)uld  resolve  in  ray . 
mind  that  I  would  never  preach;  and  would 
try  to  cast  away  all  thoughts  about^  it ;  but 
my  exercises  would  return  with  redoubled 
forc^,  until  at  length  I  was  constrained  to 
cry  put  that  my  burden  was  greater  than  \ 
could  bear;  and  finally  I  made  a  promise 
that  I  would  never  preach.  Upon  this  my 
mind  was  greatly  distressed,  until  I  finally 
despaired  of  salvation :  for  preach  I  thought 
I  Would  not— I  could  not;  and  to  divert  my 
mind  from  all  thoughts  about  preachings  I 
thought  that  I  would  travel  froni  plaQe  t^ 
place,  and  accordingly  did.  But  this  mea- 
sure proved  ineffectual*— my  conyictiQus  still 
increased^  until  my  life  became  a,  bupdep  tq 
me^  But  at  lengtl^^I  came  to  a  resoluticm 
to  ma)(e  a  trial,  if  the  Lord  wpuld  open  my 
^vay. 
,  It  happened  that  a  few  days  after  I.  came, 
to  this  resolutioo2ihe  preacher  on  the  drcuit 


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was  taken  unwell,  and  he  came  to  me  and  f 
requested  me  to  take  his  horse,  and  go  around 
his  circuit,  and  fill  his  appointments.  I  re- 
ceived this  as  a  call  from  God,  and  conse- 
quently did  not  dare  refuse,  but  went  as  he 
directed.  I  had  good  times,  and  had  some 
reason  ♦o  believe  that  God  approbated  my 
proceedings. 

After  this  I  travelled  oiice  around  Nf  w- 
London  circuit  with  brother  O — —,  who 
was  as  a  father  to  me ;  he  advised  me  to  pre- 
pare for  travelling,  and  go  to  conference  with 
him.  Accordmgly  I  obtained  my  recommen- 
dation from  the  Quarterly  Conference  held 
in  Middle-Haddam,  on  New-London  circuit, 
and  went  to  the  Annual  Conference  which 
was  held  in  New-York,  1801.  I  was  re- 
Chived  by  the  Conference  oh  prol)atioD,  and 
was  appoint^,  with  another  preacher,  to  a 
missionary  station,  to  labour  in  the  province 
of  Upper  Canada.  I  left  New-York;  imrae- 
diately  after  Conference  was  over,  and  pro- 
ceeded on  the  way  to  my  appointment.  I 
had  great  trials  in  my  mind  duiing  my  jour- 
ney ;  had  it  not  been  for  the  preachers  thai 
\7^ere  with  me,  I  believe  I  should  have  turn- 


W5f- 


0i  Imck  when  I  came  to  the  gr^at  wilder- 
SMS  between  the  Black  River  and  the  rivar 
St  Lawrence.  We  travelled  one  whole  day 
without  seeing  a  house,  and  were  six  hoUrs 
in  crossing  the  river  St  Lawrence,  in  an 
open  boat,  in  a  dark  night,;  without  light  or 
copipass. 

When  I  got  into  Canada,  I  had  but  seven 
pence  of  money  in  the  world.  Being  with-* 
out  money,  in  a  strange  land,  among  stran- 
gers, and  about  six  hundred  miles  from  home, 
I  Had  exekrcises  on  this  occasion  very  painful 
indeed.  I  travelled  but  a  few  days  among 
our  societies,  when  I  was  sent  by  my  Presid- 
ing Elder  to  form  a  new  circuit  between  the 
head  of  the  Bay  Quinty  and  Little  York,.and 
back^^to  Lake  Sinko. 

Wh^I  started  to  go  to  my  new  appoint^ 
ment,  1 1<^  the  house  of  one  of  our  friends 
early  one  morning,  and  travelled  six  hours 
through  the  woods,  when  I  came  to  two  sraaH 
log  houses.  I  inquired  if  they  would  let  me 
have  something  for  my  horse  to  eat.  But  aa 
^  I  had  no  m(mey  I  could  not  get  any  thing  fot 
'ngrself  or  my  horse.  By  inquiring  for  the 
next  settlanent  I  found  it  was  dght  miles  dicH 


% 


ff 


i.i! 


taut.  Night  was  dow  approaching,  and  I 
knew  not  that  any  person  would  entertain 
meiflgottothe  settlem^t.  In  this  situar 
Hon  I  fdt  greatly  distressed,  and  kn^w  not 
what  to  do.  To  turn  back  I  knew  was  imposn^ 
possible  that  night,  for  muc^  of  the  way 
"there  was  no  road,  and  a  dangerous  river  to 
ford.  I  finally  concluded  to  go  forward,  to 
the  next  settlement.  I  rode  about  two  miles 
on  my  way,  when  I  came  to  a  spot  of  rushies, 
where  I  turned  out  my  horse,  and  sat  down 
on  a  log  and  wept,  wishing  myself .  to  my  f^ 
tlll^touse:  But  I  had  not  been  long  in  this 
situation,  when  I  beheld  aman  coming  on  the 
^ame  road  that  I  came.  When  he  came  up 
to  me,  he  inquired  if  I  was  a  methodi6t^ 
preacher.  I  tpid  him  that  I  prcrfessed  to  W 
one.  Sai4  he,  I  have  heard  c^you  at  the  set^ 
tlemen^tbat  you  passed  a  few  miles  back,  and 
lhBk§e  come  to  accompany  you  ibrcyugh  the 
w<lids.  I  never  was  more  sensibte  of  the 
kind  interposition  of  Heaven  than  I  was  on 
^8  occasion.  I  got  through  the  woods  be?- 
Joim  dark^  and^was  kindly  received  by  a  faiaoii*! 
j^  0^  fnethpdists,  who  bad  mayed  ia^ 
from  the  States. 


,x 


u 


''  I  travelled  on  my  new  circuit  during  the 
summer,  but  was  obliged  to  leave  it  in  the 
fall,  on  account  of  there  being  no  communica- 
tion between  the  settlements  in  cold  weather.. 
I  was  moved  from  this  to  Oswagochia  circuity 
January  10th,  I  started  from  the  Bay 
circuit  to  Oswagochia.  I  met  with  some  op- 
position this  day,  as  I  was  passing  over  a 
•bridge ;  some  wicked  men  ruii  upon  'me 
•with  a  sleigh  and  horses,  and  after  coming 
full  against  my  hors^  they  whipped  and 
shouted  every  jump  for  twenty  or  thirty  rods; 
then  by  some  means  (God  only  knows  hxyk^ 
my  horse  cleared  himself  of  their's,  and  they 
passedme.  Before  I  cleared  them,  I  heard 
JDneof  them  say,  Isw — r  you  \^ill  kilLbim^ 
nevertheless  they  were  as  furious  as  ever. 
Surely  the  Lord  gave  his  angels  dha%e  con^ 
cerning  me,  and  in  their  hands  they  bore  me 
up.  The  same  evening  I  put  up  with  brother 
<Pay,  in  Kingston.  The  next  day- 1  rode  a- 
bout  twenty^six  miles,  and  put  up  at  a  tavern 
much  out  of  health.  The  next  day  I  rode  t& 
Elizabethtown. 

v'^  January  15,  I  preached  in  Elizabethtowni 
f&llMt  little  liberty  in  oiy  mind,  but  some 


* 


jBi  ■  ii  iii)iii»iwiMii.rtrt)«»i  iiOii  111  m  1 1!>« 


1.111.  i.iB'iri'-ii  riilii, 


16 


V: 


lariei)  out  for  clean  hearts.  The  same  etve^* 
log  I  preached  again>  after  riding  ten  miles. 
The  mighty  power  of  Ood  was  displayed-^ 
some  fled  from  the  house—some  forraaliitir 
irembled  under  the  word.  I  do  expect  that 
iKxme  good  was  done. 

Monday,  I  felt  much  out  of  health  in  body, 
hut  U^anquil  and  Imppy  in  my  mind 

Tuesday,  I  preached  on  the  subj^t  of  ho^ 
iiness— many  of  the  people  had  sitrang  exep^ 
dsesforsanctiflcation.  One  young  womaa 
t;mei  for  mercy,  and  soon  found  pardon*^ 
blessed  be  God  for  it. 

Wednesday  evenii^,  und^  preaching  the 
mighty  power  of  God  was  displayed^— maigr 
were  slain  to  the  floor,  and  oried  aloudfor 
.^Bercy ;  but  one  only  obtained  a  dear  testi«- 
moaiy  that  his  sins  were  pardoned.  Some 
backatiders  were  reclaimed. 

Soon  after  this  I  bad  deep  watera  to  wade 
through.  I  find  that  Satan  always  attacks 
me  the  hardest  When  God  blessesmy  la- 
bours most. 

Sunday  ^9,  I  preached  at  Reddo  to  mcftt 
people  than  could  get  into  the  hou^^  Some 
were  much  exasperated.    When  Idealtwitib 


Ui<..  - 


^MiiifiiiliMliiiiiiiiiH 


17 


them  faithfully  they  roared  out  like  mad 
men.  .  But  though  they  threatened  me,  they 
broke  none  of  my  bones.  God  restrained 
tilieir  wr&Jth. 

l;w  Monday  S4»  I  rode  to  lake  Lo3rada.  On 
my  way  1  stopped  to  warm  myself.  I  con** 
vars^with  the  people  of  the  house  on  reli- 
gion^—they  were  soon  melted  into . tears— 1 
left  them  full  of  good  resolutions. 
>  In  the  evening  I  preached  at  brothei* 
tfiow's.  The  power  of  God  was  present 
4o  heal.  The  people  were  generally  sifect'^- 
ied.  Some  cried  out-^maqy  fell  to  the  floor 
^fv^tvro  est  three  obtained  religion,  one  of 
whmn  has  since  commenced,  a  travelling 
preacher. 

.February  97,  18091,  I  preached,  but  fdt 
little  liberty,  and  fear  but  little  good  was 
done. 

Sunday  98, 1  found  more  liberty  in  my 
mind*  I  think  that  I  know  how  t>kyii  felt 
.Whai  he  cried  out,  '^  A^  the  hart  panteth  al^ 
ter  the  water  brook,  so  panteth  my.  soul  after 
thee,  O  God*'' 

March^  This  day  one  soul  professed  to 
be  sanctifled*    The  society  in  this  place  k 


'♦     ♦ 


!*• 


.# 


m 


iM)<[ii      ■».^Mfti:. 


18 


f 


small;  but  they  are  all  ia  a  ffame;  th«j 
seem  to  be  devoted  entirely  to  God,  and  they 
Hfe  all  atbiffiit  for  heaven.  :4 

^  About  this  time  I  had  strong  reasonings 
with  Satan.  I  thought  sometimes  that  God 
had  not  called  me  to  the  work  of  the  mimstry, 
i  at  length  came  to  a  r^oli  <x>n  to  desist  and 
go  home.  I  sat  out  to  meet  the  preacher  whe 
travelled  with  me,  to  inform  him  of  my  deterr 
mination.  ButO  the  distress  that  my  soul 
was  exercised  with,  was  past  th6  power  of 
language  to  describe.  I  reasoned'  with  myr 
self  thus,  Have  I  beei^  deceiving  nkyself  by 
thinking  that  God  has  called  metopreaditbe 
gospel,  when  he  has  not.  1  tbiunght»  if  I 
have  deceived  myselfin  this  particular,  I  have 
ideceived  oth^s  also ;  and  if  so,  what  a  dread- 
fni  curse  must  Ml  upon  me.  But  one  thing 
IkniBw,  that  1  had  not  deceived  myself  or 
others  designecBy.  In  the  evening  I  be- 
.^ug^iheLcnrdtogive  mea  witness,  if  he  had 
<jalledin»  to  the  work  of  the  ministiy ;  and  if 
liehadi^ioocniviaceme  by  scnne  means. 
Immediately  God  £splayed  his  pi6wer-«4he 
|fecple^^^^'t^^^y^^o^^>  ^^  thi^eemr 


f-'-Jft-:'.^  TX5^.>-r- 


10 


mercjr.  The  Lord  joyfully  flanciified  two 
souls,  acGordiog.to  their  own  testhnony.  M 
this  was  the  witness,  that  I  had  asked  ef  Ood, 
mconfinnattonofmy  call  to  the  work  of  the 
ministrj,  I  could  not  teatoiably  doubt  Any 
longer  as  io  this  point  I  took  some  cmtAg^ 
from  this,  send  thought  that  I  would  coirtinne 
ft  while  longer,  ahd  Me  What  the  Lord  Would 
^o  by  me^  and  with  me ;  -for  at  that  time  I  ca^ 
jsay,  that  I  wanted  nothing^  more  than  to  do 
the  wiH  of  God/ 

>  fiuiilfty  i^y  i  preached  at  (he  Ninth  town; 
wiB  had  the  ov^shadowing  of  the  Holy  Gho^ 
in  trlidi ;  many  shouted  akmd  foir  joy,  at)d 
theglory  of  God  was  in  the  midst. 
^  ^l!ueaday,  I  preached  by  request  of  a  yoUng 
man,  (who  was  sick  wkh  the  pteuridy) 
from  those  words,  ''What  is  man  f"*  I  felt 
goodliliertyM  my  soul:  two  or  three  persons 
were  slain  to  the  floor :  weprayed  with  them 
for  some  time,  but  th^  did  not  obtain  comfort 
to  their  SDuW 

Thursday;  und^  preaching  aU  the  people 
wefit  alea4  The  Lcvd  was  with  us  of  a. 
truth. 

Jibcmttke&ist^  April  a^house  inf^xapm&i 


90 


I 


til  Cornwall  for  meihodif t  preaching.  Corn^ 
wall  is  ft  wicked  ahandbiied  place.  Th^ 
Church  clei^yman  and  his  wife  were  the 
fifstto  join  a  dandng  school  that  was  set  up 
in  the  place,  in  order  to  give  countenance  to 
civil  mirth,  asUieysaid.  :  I  preached  in  this 
plate  once,  to  a  large  number  of  people,  who 
Were  generally  much  affected,  and  very  at? 
tentive. 

May  5,  at  the  Matitdsi  meeting-^iouse  the 
power  of  God  was  most  remarkably  manifestjt 
ed.  St)on  alt^  I  b^an  dpeaking  many  eL 
the  people  fell  to  the  floor,  and  aied  aloud  for 
mercy.  Four  or  five,  souls  professed  to  be 
joyfully  converted  to  God  during  the  ineet^ 
ing^  and  the  people  of  Cod  a^ipearedto  be 
much  revived,  and^ishouted  aloud  the  praises 
of  God ; ;  andihe  noise  was  heard  a&r  off. 

April  9>  I  preached  at  the  widow  Elliot^St 
[Her  husband  lately  died  happy  ill  God;] 
The  people  were  much  affected.  Abou^ 
twenty  appeared  to  be  pow^fully  convictedd^ 
tspake  to  them  severally  concerning  the  ^te 
oftheir  souls--4hey,  were  all  in  tears.  I  trust 
some  good  was  done  at  this  meeting. 

April  Uvlhad  a  ^iarious  and  refreshing; 


» 


u  »-r!sSS=,:,-.j«iipJ!l(»e«a»-j»a 


f^':^&.''^"i$y^^*'"  '-':  '><■*!  "^*«!.''i*i^ 


m 

time.  Tlie  Lord  has  been  very  good  to  ti^^ 
Jate.  I  fed  almoti  a  constant  conunHnioki 
withbtm.  a 

Our  quarterly  meeting  commenced  tbe 
d5th  of  April :  we  had  a  great  and  glorioui» 
seaseii  at  this  toeeting.  Our  quarterly  meet- 
ing being  over,  I  was  left  alone  on  tbe  circuit 
My  first  appointment  was  at  tbe  widow  Elli- 
ot's. The  Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth.  I 
£)und  many  on  full  stretch  for  rdigion. 
from  this  I  went  to  Isaiah  Keelojr's.  i  found 
thai  &e  Lord  was  to  work  in  that  place. 
I'lns  week  I  got  lost  in  the  woods;  but  after 
umindierii^  for  some  considerable  tfane»  I 
finDid  my  way  in  to  a  settlement.  The 
'Same  ev^ing  a  few  people  collected  tqgdher 
for  a  meeting,  and  the  Lord  was  in  the  midst 
Two  souls  professed  to  be  converted  to  God, 
and  One  sanctified.  Glory  be  to  God  in  the 
highest 

May  ^,1  joined  four  in  society,  andvl 
bave  good  reason  to  believe  that  they  were 
happy  in  God. 

About  the  last  of  May^  the  L6rd  waib 
pleased  to  lay  on  nra  his  afflicting  hand.  I 
waaviol^tlyseized  with  the  fever  aitfl  ague^ 


r 


I,"  »«IP" 


Sd 


i 


which  lasted  me  for  the  space  of  four  w^*ek8 ; 
but  I  was  at  length  instatataneouely  delivered 
from  this  affliction,  I  believe  in  answer  to  mtf-- 
ny  prayers  which  were  offered  to  God  in  mf 
behalf  by  my  brethren.  ♦* 

July  My  I  was  stationed  on  the  circuit  that 
I  had  formed  when  I  first  went  into  the  j^Ch 
vince.  They  are  a  very  profligate  fiecgple 
on  this  circuit.  They  threatened  my  life  a 
number  of  times;  but  the  Lord  restrained 
them,  that  they  did  me  no  harm.  The  Lord 
raised  up  many  witnesses  of  the  power  of  dt 
vine  grace,  on  this  circuit.  I  formed  a  socie^ 
in  almost  every  settlement  between  the  head 
of  the  Bay  and  Little  York.  It  might  be 
said  of  many  places,  that  the  wilderness  did 
bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 

October  25, 1  was  removed  to  the  Bay  ciiS* 
cuit.  Soon  after  I  came  to  this  circuit  the 
Lord  began  a  glorious  work  of  religion. 
While  I  was  preaching  at  Richard  Osborn's, 
two  backsliders  were  reclaimed,  and  we  had 
a  shout  of  a  King  in  the  camp.  Glory  to  God 
lor  what  my  eyes  saw  in  this  meeting. 

Noven^ber  @9, 1  formed  a  new  society  at  a 
place  called  the  Little  Lak^  There  has  been 


:i:r-""r~!rr^:3rr-r' 


••^•'.ti.-Lxj^imu.i..i>iiu 


93 


preaching  in  this  place  for  some  years  pasV 
but  the  seed  has  apparently  fallen  by  the 
way-side,  till  of  late  the  word  has  taken  ef- 
fect on  many  minds : — many  are  inquiring  af- 
ter the  truth. 

^January  11, 1803, 1  preached  again  ^tbro? 
ther  Osborn's.  The  Lord  is  at  work  in  this 
place — many  souls  are  earnestly  seeking  re- 
ligion. In  the  evening,  at  brother  Yallow's, 
]^any  of  the  people  were  brought  to  cry  for 
mercy ;  four  or  five  professed  justifying 
grace  during  this  meeting. 

Tuesday  we  had  a  very  glorious  time— 
the  people  of  God  shouted*-— one  soul  was 
converted,  and  two  backsliders  reclaimed. 
.  The  work  of  God  from  this  time  forward 
went  on  in  a  very  rapid  and  glorious  manner. 
It  first  begati  with  some  of  our  greatest  op- 
posers;  and  I  believe,  within  the  Cotijrse  of 
six  we^s,  about  thirty  souls  were  converted 
to  God  in  the  meetings  that  I  attended ;  be* 
side,  many  sanctified,  and  some  backsliders 
reclaimed.  » 

February  10, 1  preached  in  Kingston.  Soou 
after  I  began  speaking  many  of  the  people 
crtU  aloud  for  men^,  and  numbers  wi^ 


r 


9hin  to  the  floor;  three  sottls  found  j^eace/ 
The  noise  was  so  gr^t  that  ifij  voice  was 
eempletelj  drowned.  I  left  many  of  the 
people  on  the  floor  earnestly  ctyiiig  for  mer- 
cy. 

Our  quarterly  meeting  commenced  Fe- 
bruary 13.  Cn  Saturday  the  Lord  made 
bare  his  glorious  arm :  numbers  oC  the  peof- 
pie  cried  out  for  mercy,  and  fell  to  the  floor. 
About  ten  found  pardon  in  this  meeting,  and 
many  were  much  exercised  for  holiness  of 
iieart. 

On^e  Sabbath  following  the  slain  of  the 
Lord  were  many.  In  the  galleries  and  bdaw, 
the  floors  were  covered  with  people  crying 
for  mercy.  Such  a  time  I  never  saw  before. 
The  cries  and  screeches  of  the  distressed  quite 
drowned  th^  preadier's  voice.  We  all  left 
the  pttlpit,  and  dispersed  among  the  pecqple^ 
and  began  pt  lying  for  the  mourners.  We 
continued  upwards  of  three  hours  in  this  ej^ 
^pcise  brfore  we  concluded.  The  number; 
that  professed  to  obtain  religion  during  tiiia 
meeting  was  tw^y-eight;  and  many  others 
to  be  sanetilied, 

The  work  oC  God,  s^r  this  meeting,  h^ 


i 


^5 


pu  on  all  parts  of  the  circuit.  It  went  on 
during. the  winter  wi^h  increased  rapidity. 
'^About  one  hundred  souls  were  converted  be- 
tween the  first  of  January  and  the  first  of 
April.  I  laboured  day  and  night  in  public 
and  in  private  during  the  winter;  but  my 
excessive  labours  proved  too  much  for  my 
constitution,  and  occasioned  a  severe  fit  of 
sickness,  which  left  me  in  a  state  of  dtbility, 
Irom  which  I  have  never  fully  recovered. 

During  this  winter  I  preached  from  seven 
to  fourteen  times  a  week. 

One  day  I  attended  a  funeral  where  a 
Church  clergymen  .officiated.  After  he  had 
gone  through  with  his  ceremonies  of  burying 
the  dead,  I  requested  liberty  to  address  the 
people  in  his  meeting-house,  (it  was  an  ex- 
treme cold  day)  but  he  possitively  refused  to 
let  me  speak  either  in  his  meeting-house  or  in 
the  bmrying  ground.  As  the  property  was  his 
own,  I  knew  that  he  had  a  right  to  forbij 
my  speaking  there,  and  therefore  I  requested 
>11  who  wished  to  hear  the  word  of  God  to 
withdraw  to  the  street.  /^Accordingly  the 
greatest  pari  of  them  did.  I  stood  on  a  logy  : 
and  aaOod  gave  tome  I  delivered  to  the  peo- 


^ 


'^pwnjKi .    II  ,  i'\fijf^K0Wf^^ 


n 


M 


pie.    I  faithfully  declared  the  curses  of  the 
law  against  the  workers  of  iniquity »    The 
most  of  the  people  listened  with  ^reat  appi^- 
rent  atttintion  and  seriousness.    Some  were 
x)frended,  but  none  more  so  than  the  priest.   I 
would  here  make  a  few  remarks  respecting 
this  man  and  the  Church  of  England  in  gene- 
ral in  Canada.     Mr.  Langhorn  (for  that  was 
his  name)  was  an  Englishman,  a  man  of  but 
small  natural  or  acquired  abilities.    He  built 
a  number  of  meeting-houses  with  his  own  mo- 
ney.   He  was  paid  by  the  crown  for  preach- 
jng,  (as  the  most  of  the  Church  clergy  are  in 
that  province).    He  had  his  circuit,  and  tra- 
velled around  it  once  a  week  on  foot,  and  read 
the  same  sermon  to  every  (Congregation  on,  his 
circuit.     He  was  a  strict  Papist  in  principle, 
respecting  priests  marrying ;  an  inveterate 
enemy  to  the  Methodists.    He  never  made 
but  one  sermon  in  his  life  be  said,  and  that 
was  against  the  Methodists  y  in  which  he  tri- 
ed to  saterize  the  internal  evidence  of  religi- 
on, which  the  Methodists  profess  to  be  pos- 
sessed  of.    The   clergyman    in    Kingston 
preach^ed  four  times  a  year  to  the  Mowbarnvks, 
ior  which  he  was  paid  by  the  king  eighty 


1> 


s  own  mo- 


27 

doltars  fof  each  sermon.    He  would  pla)r 
cards  and  go  to  balls.    The  clergyman  in 

,  York  was  his  son.    I  did  not  learn  that  he 
was  inmioral,  unless  attending  balls  is  count* 

^ed  inunortality.    The  prie  t  in  Cornwall  i 

"^  ]bave  motioned  before.  This^is  the  true  state 
of  the  Church  clergy  it*  the  pmvince  of  Up- 
per Canada.  Thereinattention  to  the  duties 
of  their  functions  is  to  be  attributed  in  a  gr^t 
measure  to  their  deriving  their  support  frcnn 
the  Crown,  and  not  from  the  people.  If  thdr 
support  was  derived  ftonx  the  voluntary  con- 
tribtttipns  of  their  people,  they  would  be 
more  attentive  to  their  duties.  But  thena- 
nature  of  all  religiotis  establishments  is  such, 
that  they  have  a  tendency  to  lull  the  clergy 
into  security.  They  hold  their  emoluments 
not  by  the  voluntary  will  of  their  people,  and 

^  which  would  in  such  a  case  depend  in  a  igi '  t 
measure  on  the  services  they  rendered  them, 
but  as  it  now  stands,  they  can  have  their  sti- 
pend whether  (he  people  heat  theni  or  not. 
A  Church  clergyman  in  Canada  may  go  into 
bis  me^ng-house  and  read  his  services,  if 
there  is  not  one  present  besides  the  cl^k, 
axid  is  entitUto  his  pay :  such  instances  do 


^ 


128 


frequently  occur.  But  to  return.  The 
3ame  evening  I  preached  but  a  small  distance 
from  the  meeting-house,  above-mentioned. 
Soon  after  I  began  speaking,  three  men  arose 
off  their  seats,  and  appeared  to  be  in  a  parox- 
ism of  anger.  They  approached  me  within 
reach;  and  when  I  announced  th<^J  curses  of 
the  law  against  them,  they  gave  back  »  biit 
after  assuming  a  little  more  fortitude,'  they 
would  make  towards  me  with  their  fists  bran- 
dished: and  thus  they  did  alternately  advance 
and  retreat,  three  or  four  times,  till  at  length 
they  fled  from  the  house,  raging  and  swearing 
like  mad  men.  God  makes  the  wrath  of  men 
to  praise  him,  iwid  the  remainder  of  wrath  he 
restrains.  Satan  has  his  limits,  beyond 
which  he  cannot  go. 

I  was  taken  sick  soon  after  this  with  the 
measles  and  lake  fever,  both  at  once.  About 
the  time  that  my  measles  were  coraingout,  I 
fell  into  a  creek,  and  my  horse  got  awajr  from 
me,  and  I  had  to  wade  through  a  parting,  in 
the  ice,  twice  across  the  creek :  the  Water  was 
Nearly  up  tomy  iieck.  After  getting  my  sad 
die-bags  on  the  opposite  side,  I  caught  my 
horse,  but  had  not  rode  mof  e  til|||^  ^  inil^  or  ^ 


f 


29 


two  when  he  again  broke  through  the  ice  in 
another  small  run  of  water,  into  which  h% 
threw  me.  The  weather  was  freezing  cold» 
and  I  had.  jet  to  ride  twenty-two  miles,  as  wet 
as  I  was,  before  I  could  get  to  a  house;  in 
Consequence  of  which  I  was  immediately  con- 
fined to  my  bed,  where  I  lay  four  weeks. 
During  tliis  time  I  was  as  devoid  of  m()tion 
ai  if  I  had  not  amuscleinmy  body.  But 
contrary  to  the  expections  of  any  person  who 
saw  me  in  my  sipkness,  after  four  weeks  I  be-  - 
gan  to  recover  some  strength.  In  two  weeks 
after  I  attended  a  quarterly  meeting,  and 
preached  my  farewell  sermon  in  Canada ;  and 
the  next  day  set  out  for  the  States,  in  compa- 
i^  with  brother  Tompkins,  having  been  ab- 
sent two  years.  Being  yet  in  a  <  very  debili- 
tated state,  and  haying  exercised  the  preced- 
ing day  too  much  for  my  strength,  I  had  a 
relapse  of  the  lake  fever.  It  was  Monday 
morning  that  we  left  the  Bay  of  Quinty,  aiMi . 
before  night  I  was  taken  with  the  fever. 
Tuesday  1  felt  some  better^  ^aad  concluded  to  ^ 
cross  Ibe  river  St.  Lawrence^ .  Brother  Tom-^ 
kins  had  a  fit  of  the  lake  fever  wUle  i%  che  . 
boat.    I  thought  he  would  have  died  before  > 

c*  Si 


m^mmm 


>  y.w  '" 


30 

we  reached  the  opposite  shore.  He  had 
been  in  Canada  but  one  year^  and  had  had 
the  fever  and  ague  twice,  the  bloody  flujp^onoe^ 
the  measles  once,  and  lake  fever  twice,  inclu- 
ding the  present.  He  was  extremely  debili* 
tated,  and  I  was  as  much  so.  We  only  crossed 
the  river  this  day,  and  put  up  at  a  tavern  on 
the  dockj  where  we  tarried  that  night,  and  the 
nejfct  morning  set  out  to  go  through  a  piece  of 
woods  thirteen  miles  in  length.  When  we 
bad  got  through  to  a  house,  we  fed  our  hor- 
ses. We  had  then  to  cross  a  small  river: 
the  boat  would  carry  but  one  horse  at  a  time^ 
and  only  a  woman  attended  to  put  us  over, 
consequently  I  had  to  assist  her.  Nosoon* 
er  had  I  got  across  and  mounted  my  hcjirse, 
than  the  fever  again  attacked  me.  We 
had  then  eight  miles  to  ride  to  the  nei&i 
house,  through  cedar  and  hemlock  swamps 
half  the  way.  ^  Here  I  had  like  to  have 
died.  I  could  get  no  water,  but  what  came 
out  of  the  swamps,  which  wis  extremely  dis- 
agreeable to  the  taste.  1  once  laid  down  on 
the  leaves,  and  told  brother  Tompkins  that  I 
could  go  no  fertber,  I  must  die  here.  I  felt 
entirely  discouraged,  and  would  not  have  lift- 


w- 


31 


In 


ed  my  fiiiger  to  have'saved  my  life.  I  lo&t 
all  desire  to  see  my  friends :  there  was  noth- 
ing in  the  world  that  had  any  charms  to  me 
" — all  was  gloomy  as  the  valley  of  death. 
Brother  Tompkins  entreated  me  to  make  one 
effort  more ;  he  thought  we  might  find  water 
soon:  but  all  that  he  could  say  had  no  effect. 
At  length  he  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  on, 
calling  at  the  same  time'  to  me  toibllow. 
Just  as  he  was  about  to  disappear^  I  felt  a 
faint  desire  revive  to  see  my  friends  once 
more.  I  arose  and  mounted  my  hors^  and 
rode  on,  groaning  and  crying  every  step.  At 
length  we  got  to  a  small  house  that  had  been 
erected  but  a  short  time  before.  We  tied  out 
horses  to  a  stump,  and  I  begged  the  privilegje 
of  the  woman  of  Jth6  house'  of  laying  down  on 
a  bed.  I  lay  about  three hours^a^d  thed  we 
rode  seven  mile  further,  and  crossed  the 
Black  River  V  Sowe  continued  day  after  day 
until  we  arrived  at  Fort  Stanwick.  From 
here  Itodehome. 

After  visiting  my  friends  a  few  days  I  at- 
tended the  New-York  Conference,  which  was 
k^d  at  Ashgrove.  At  this  conference  I  re^ 
ceived  deacon's  orders,  ajid  was  stationed  on 


fWlf^ 


|U  I   I  JIVl^Wl|9««P«IP|il« 


m^r^immiF'' 


Fktcher  circuit,  which  lay  on  thi  Uae  be- 
tween Lower  Canada  and  Vermont*  I  tra- 
velled on  this  circuit  for  some  time  without 
seeing  any  thing  very  particular.  The  If  ork 
of  God  went  on  gradually .  ,         T 

I  suffered  some  persecution  this  year  froa 
iDraial  professors,  as  well  as  from  the  wick- 
ed world;  yet  I  had  some  gracious  times. 
I  fouiid  niany  precious  people  in  this  cir^uil, 
I  think  We  bad  about  one  hundred  souls  con- 
verted this  year. 

The  year  following  I  travelled  on^  Brandon 
eircukr  I  had  some  good  times  on  this  cir- 
cuit, particulady  in  Brandon^  town* 

The  year  following  I  was  stationed  on  Al>^ 
banydrcuit. 

July  Wf  1805,  Fpreached  in  Albany  city. 
The  Lord,  was  powerfully '  present.  I  fdt 
wellinmyown«oid.  r'  t 

^iuly  16,1  preached  at  Manhatenbook;  The 
society  iii  this  place  is  very  Idw  in  r^&lig^on ; 
yet  soni'^  individuals  appear  to  have  some  life. 

Jnily  26,  The  Lord  displayed- his  power 
among  us.    We  were  very  mueh  refireisbed  < 
in  time  of  preaching,  and  espedaDy  so  atlb^r 
Sacrament  of.  the  Lord's  Supper*-^^!  i^  v/lf 


33 


.  July  219, 1  preached  at  brother  Shaw's/  m 
Greenfield.  It  was  rather  dull,  and  I  fear  no 
good  was  done. 

July  SO,  I  pi'eached  at  the  widow  Dodge's, 
I  trurt  sonie  good  was  done.  The  Lord  ma- 
irifesfed  his  presence  in  our  midst 

July  31,  I  had  sore  trials.  The  people 
where  I  preachled  were  in  the  field  at  work, 
and  would-  not  so  much  as  attend  meeting, 
and  yet  they  belonged  to  society] 

August  1, 1  rode  to  Scott's  Patent,  and  held 
a  prayer-meeting  in  the  evening.  li  was  the 
best  I  had  been  in  for  some  time.  The  soci- 
ety here  are  truly  alive  to  God. 

At  my  next  appointment  the  Lord  display- 
ed his  mighty  power.  Many  shouted  aloud, 
Glory  to  God.  At  New  Durham  it  was  the 
same.  Many  shouted,  and  praised  God  aloud. 
At  Windham  I  preached  in  the  presbyterian 
meeting-house.  Two  of  their  preachers  be- 
ing present,  I  strove  to  convince  them  of  the 
absurdity  of  absolute  predestination.  I  met 
with  no  opposition.  We  raised  a  society  in 
this  place  soon  after  this  of  about  fifty  mem<* 
bers. 


W^m^^ 


^fm^ 


'm/mmm 


34 


Tbursdajr  6tb,  I  preached  among  the  btfH 
tista.  Some  I  understood  were  very  m«ch 
displeased  because  I  disturbed  them  in  thieir 
Laodedan  ease.  Is  it  not  strange  that 
no  kind  of  preaching  will  offend  some 
people  so  much  as  that  which  is  against  sin 
and  the  devil?. 

Thursday  8th»  I  preached  in  RenslerviUe 
to  a  number  of  hearers,  the  most  of  whom 
were  very  happy,  and  shouted  aloud  the 
praises  of  God«  I  feel  my  mmd  engaged 
with  God  at  present  I  wish  to  spend  my 
self  in  hii^  cause.  Some  few  souls  have  lato« 
ly  been  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the 
truth  in  this  |^ace«. 

At  my  next  appointment  many  were  slain 
to  the  floor,  and  expressed  great  happiness 
in  theiif  souls. 

Soon  after  this  I  was  confined  to  my  bed 
by  the  rheumatism,  so  that  I  neither  travel- 
led nor  pre^bed  for  some  time. 
^  In  Xhe,  spring  of  this  year  I  was  placed  in 
Albany  city,  by  my  presiding  elder.  Here  I 
had  some  good  times:  a  number  of  souls 
were  converted  to  God. 


35 


After  conference  I  was  removed  to  New- 
York.  This  appointment  caused  me  a  se- 
vere trial  for  some  time,  until  1  saw  the  work 
of  God  revive  among  the  people,  which  was 
8«on  after  I  went  to  the  citj.  Souls  were 
converted  by  hundreds  this  year.  We  join- 
ed between  Tour  and  five  hundred  in  society. 
And  we  calculate  that  some  hundreds  who 
were  awakened  in  our  meetings,  joined  other 
societies.  However,  I  was  not  exempt  from 
temptations  and  trials  from  various  causes, 
particularly  the  first  part  of  the  year.  Yet  I 
can  truly  say  the  Lord  was  and  is  still  my 
helper,  and  in  him  I  put  my  trust. 

I  found  some  advantages  this  year  for  the 
improvement  of  my  mind  by  studying.  I 
gained  sqnae  knowledge  of  the  Greek  lan- 
guage. The  greatest  disadvantage  or  mcon- 
vepiepcel  exp^iencedwas  the  confinement 
of  my  Ubours  to  one  place,  as  I  had  been  in 
the  habit  of  travelling  very  extensively.  I 
could  not  at  ^rst  content  myself  to  be  thus 
conned :  but  when  the  work  of  God  b^an 
to  revive,  I  found  work  enough  to  employ  all 
my  time.  And  when  I  saw  thfit  God  appro- 
ved my  labours,  I  felt  reconciled,  for  I  ^11 


36 


ever  believe  that  my  appointment  in  this  city 
was  from  the  JL.ord.  -      ' 

During  the  summer  season  I  usually 
preached  four  times  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
walked  three  or  four  miles.  I  made  it  my 
practice  to  preach  once  on  the  Sabbath  in 'the 
Park,  for  which  I  suffered  considerable  op^ 
position ;  yet  Gpd  blessed  my  soul  in  pr nich- 
ing there  ;  and  I  telieve  many  others  were 
blessed  who  heard  the  word  in  that  place. 
There  were  hundreds  attended  here  who  sel- 
dom wenit  to  any  other  place  of  Worship; 
many  of  whom  were  awakened,  and  profess- 
ed to  experience  religion,  and  have  since  be- 
came steady  hearers  of  the  word,  and  attend* 
ants  on  the  ordinances  of  God's  house. 

It  was  most  commonly  the  case  that  after 
I  had  preached  four  times  on  the  Sabbath, 
we  continued  our  prayer-meetings  until  ten 
or  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  and  sometimes  till 
one  in  the  morning.  At  these  times  it  was 
very  common  to  see  eight  or  ten  soUls  con- 
verted to  doA  in  each  of  the '  meeting-houses 
in  one  evening. 

During  thisi  year  I  wrpte  but  a  small  part 
of  my  journal,    Whai  I  did  is  as  follows ; 


^''"^^ff^^mm 


iti 


es 


9? 

tiudday  morning  I  felt  much  distresMd  iii 
my  mind:  mysoulwasathirst^for  the  living 
Ood.    I  Jrew  a  determination  to  seek  for  full 
sauctilioBtioii  of  soul.    I  went  to  class  fasting. 
I  preached  in  the  afternoon  from  **  Quench 
not  the  Spirit.''    I  felt  but  little  liberty,  and 
.  much  exercised  after  pveacbing. 
t    In  the  evening  I  attempted  to  preach  a- 
gain ;  but  Oh !  my  words  were  without  life 
or  energy;  and  I  fear  but  little  good  was 
done.    I  felt  greatly  distressed  after  preilch- 
ii^.    I  Wasiett  a  stand  to  know  what  to  do, 
Satan  so  harrassed  my  mind  with  sore  temp- 
tations.    It  semed  to  me  that  I  must  delist 
from  preaching.    Again  I  was  afraid  if  I  did 
I  should  loQ^re  ray  soul,  and  pmsh  eternally. 
I  irelpriied  home  and  besought  tk6  Lord  virith 
earnest  prayer/ but  found. no  relief.     My 
4^4epartedfroio  me  that  night.    My  life 
uqw"b§can(i<^  a  burden.to  me ;  and  I  'thought^ 
I  was  a  burden  to  others.    I  ooncluded  that  t 
di^npgood  in  the  world— all  was  darkness, 
and  4^1)1  ^nd  wpe  before  me.    But  Oh! 
bow  litl||&4PW^  understand  of  the  ways  of 
Cfod ;  and  hoiw  apt  are  we  to  complain  when 
uqder  l^e  cfaas^ning  rod  <tf  our  heavenly 


w 


■•^  ii.iiu.  .1  I  ■•mip<ivp«q«p9|^|pi 


•"'"'•^•piiiPiir 


38 

jatber.    But  I  have  always  fouud  that  afflic- 
tions serve  to  humble  me  more  than  b!cs»* 
rings;  for  when  I  am  in  prospurity,. I  am  too 
upt  to  be  8elf-dep<^ndent,  and  forget  where  my 
(great  strength  lies.    But  chastisements  teach 
|me  my  unfaithfulnesB  ^nd  weakness,  and  ex- 
cite me  to  fly  to  the  strong  for  help,  and  to  ihe 
wise  for  wisdom:  and  blessed  be  God,  I  can 
vSq,^,  that  my  trials  at  this  time  served  to  hum- 
;J>1q  m^    soul  as  in  the  dust,  and  to  excite  a 
.sEiofenirdent  spirit  of  prayier  to  God  to  subdUe 
tlie  base  eorruptions  of  my  heart,  and  to 
•leave  nothing  remaining  contrary  to  his  most 
fcplywill.    IV^yicrywas, 

n  '  ^<  I  CAhnc»trdit  till  pute -within, 

<*  Till  I  am  wholly  Ictt  in  thee.**  , 

^  1^'«^r«»6^i^n*and  igain  from  my  bed,  and 
Ikrayedtothe  Lord.  At  length  the  glcriuus 
Sftvimiir  appeared  for  my  help:  he  broke  my 
.iard  healft^— Ifelt  that  God  was  reconciled^— 
1  liea^d  his pard(»iing  voice.  Oh!  hoW  pre- 
«idtt8  was  M&  love  to  my  (hiristy  soul !  In  the 
kfid^nlng^my  desire  wp:g  o^rong  and  sirdent  for 
k3>^^^9.  1  felt  my  soul  much  drawn  out  iii 
^ee^xft  |E  ayi^.  I  read  niy  bible^cm  my  ki^eesi 
tieBe€:hing  God  to  impart  unto  me  a  kr^ow- 


"»'•■*'     ■     '    ''•'    "''"Wp^inpiPPW.  I'    "II  "I  iii.p^iPlllpiBBfUJJpf 


wmm"' 


Iff  ^"'^  wnnniippi 


39 


leSge  of  bis  biessed  will.  Soon  after  I  arose 
I  wsLS  called  upon  to  visit  a  sick .  sister,  and 
found  her  about  to  depart  tbid  life.  I  conr 
versed  with  ard  prayed  for  her.  The  LorA 
bcoke  into  her  soul  with  great  light  and  liber- 
^l  I  asked  her  then  if  she  was  afraid  to  die* 
She  r^liedv  No,  no-^Glory  to  G^d!  -She 
<iould  triumph  in  the  cold  emk'aces  of  death : 
The  sting  of  dea^h  was  gone — ^her  soul  had 
got  the  victoi^y  over  dipaih,  hell;  and  the  grave. 
7his  ds^  I  spent  in  reading,  praying,  and  vi- 
goiingthe  sick  and  mourmng.  I  found  it  a 
jj^ecious  day  tamy  soul. 

Tuesday  I  spent  in  readiing  and  prayer. 
Oil  bow  n^LUch  I  desire  that  my  We  ^nd  con-* 
v^jsatioii  i*?ay  accord  with  the  precepts  of  the 
gospel  of  C%risi.  I  wenttoLoi^'-Isl^nd  and 
preached  in  iae  evening  to  a  pecj^e  that  s^ 
peared  to  be  hard  and  unfeeling.  I  felt  as  if 
1^h«e  word  took  but  little  or  no  eflfect.  The 
'/iext  day  I  spent  in  reading  and  prayer.  In 
the  eveninglbrotber  B  preached  on  a 

watchmght#  occasion.  Brv.iher  Qi  ■  and 
Hayself  exhorted.  Afterwai-ds  we  had  praycr- 
iheeting,  which  contintied  until  one  o'ckck  in 
the  mor  ning.    It  was  truly  a  great  and  glori  « 


m 


m 


iiiiiiii 


BPiliPiPippiPiPiiiPPP.Ji IJ'MU'I  iiliii»,««WM».w"wi.  <• 


'^pvviffRniip 


40 

ou^time.  The  L<Hrd  wrought  wonders  in 
the  cppgregation :  between  twenty  and  thir- 
ty were,  brought  to  cry  for  mercy,  and  a 
large  number  found  peace  io  tlieir  souls.  .  f 
i  January  I,  ISOfJVWe  helda  lovetfeast.  W 
lohn-sta-eet  meetii^-house.  >Many  spokfi 
feel%ly  of  the  dei^liugs  of  God  tQ  their  squIs 
rt^^om^  were  over^^Jl|€toed^wilh^4ijen8»>  c^^^ 
the  divine .  goodness ;  .  and  others  shouted 
with  a  peat  shout.  Glory  to  .God.   . . 

The  same  evening,  in.  the  Bowery  meet^ 
ing-hpuse,  many  were  brought  to  cry  for  m^f? 
cy.  They  flocked  around  the  altar;  aad 
their  qry  j^^as,  Fray  for  me— Lord  have  mer^ 
cy  on  my  poor  soul  I'^the  meeting  continu»> 
ed  until  ten.  o'clock  at  nig^t.  Many^  Lhe*f. 
lieve  will  remember  that  day  in  great  eterni" 

The  nextdsiy  I  felt  much  worn  down  ii^ 
IjMpdy,  but  h^py  in  my  soul,  and  resolu t^y^' 
bent .  to  do  .  ihe  will  i  of  hiiiven  in  alt 
tbiiigs,  soik  as  I  shall  know  iii%^|us  g^aob^ 
as^ililtiag  me.  While  I  see  imls  cmnii^ 
home  to  God,  my  heart  "leaps  for  joy.«7f 
HjUndreds  are  unbracing  the  glorious  gospel 
of  Jesu^v 


W^p.M-M«U     I Mp™^yi|jBf;;p|p|p|^;pppipp^|p;>f>i|piii..i^itii,W^  I  HHIlliii  I  |i    mp^ii,    ^ 


41 


'  January  39,  I  did  not  enjdy  that  degree 
of  jpeac^  m  my  sotil.th^  I  somettol^had 
done,  yet  I  feel  ^t  mueli  ai$  ever  determined 
to  be  for  God.  1  sp^ntthe  fcu'ehodn  in 
visiting,  praying,  and  reading :  ontb^#liak 
it  was  i^jgocd  day  to  my  soul 

Sunday  ^th,  I  preached  in  tbei  momi% 
ib  the  Hudson  meeting-lonse.  it  Wal  a 
good  season  tomy  doul,  aiiilibdie>^to  m^ 
ffy  others.  In  the  afternoon  I  pteiiehyi  at. 
'^oofelyn  to  a  society  alive  t^  (Jci.^  Jt great 
Mmhi^  ^hid  v^y  recently  ebtaiiied;r<^&^^ 
idlhat  piace.  The  Lord  wad  with  $16  4dy 
imiih^  Heaven  seemed  to  ^iMimthe  t^ 
AsaMyt  aiid  ali^s^mnedto  fell  th^  infinei^cea 
of  the  Divine  Spirit.  In  the  ev^ing  k  wiia 
itol«ypo#«rfdla8inthfeni#Bing:;^        ' 

.Moni!ay,  I  spbnt  the  forenoon  in  visiting 
frid«r^%pfe  to  houses  Oh  h(^  pfeeious^  tfaer 
iak^  ^V4^  to  my  soul  this  dirjr;  C  Ahvugri 
find  vitfmgtfrbm  hfiWise  toboUie^  ^d^if^ 
sfinK^g,  and  ptaying  kt  and  with«?i^  peo- 
ple %>  be  prolitabteto^niyddul;  ifid  to  lii^ 
s^ls^the  pedfio.       •  -   X  ^  ^  -^ 

-  Ttieddaj^l^  a^^tSd^sneasiireiof^pM^lf 
in>  y'QXxL    The  for^oon  1  spDat 


*> 


D 


•^i 


llfllll*  Jl|  *,IHi.M»IH"i 


w-/ 


^lk< 


mm  nm^yv^kmvAi  luaipYofes^ed  to  be^m 
y^rt^  to.  O^d  :*  m^y  others  cried  abud  to; 

||l«|toM?f  mer^jrm  s^vmk 

fcpi^  f^Bic^.    TJbe :  :«v^       mee^g  cootie 

9o4  by,;^le  (Joi^vfMft^  1  What  Wjalcbfuy 
nmM^f^^T  to  r^w  cwir  cgnftden^  im 

\^^hoB|weccwftWBe<:  ■  it 

h^  uad^  severe  tmk  in  6<iiV«Mld  bl4y. 
^  j^  lEUfhgraQe  we  3ieed;|Q isapport ' ti8i 
tpdlP^ltll  the^Bfiictsc^Ufe^  and  to  retaiit  ^ 
c^gtiiQ^t  iiit^cottrse  wi|h  God  I  M^j/God? 
ht^  meflo^QHble  my  Migem^e  a^d  faithfok 
^  i«eas.  ilrhis  moriui^.  I  feU  d^ermined  im 
sp«ad  my  life  in  God's  blessed^  dertric^ 
l^io^fi^  s^i  ¥)Be#Utioii  X  Hiid  are  biased. 
inelki3s.tobflp^l«  this  end. 


••*, 


piWi«B<(>iiiili  'f"^'' 


iiAMiiim)i 


l^r.il|llWHili|ll|JMJMp<|PfPPM|PRpPfl|r^l^^Rp|P|P|!||P| 


4» 


Sunday  14,  In  tli6  mbrnihg  I  sirofelo 
preach.  :  It  was  a  go6d'tiiiie  to  iny  settle 
Brother  G^—ttl6d  my  aiq^amtment  mlthe 
aftehiocm-^^bd  blessed  the"  word  td  nianj^ 
sKMik  At  evening  I  preacIM  hi  the  Afrki^nf 
neeting-hotise:  the  Lord  manifested  hip  pr#e 
sence  in  a  gloriouB  maimer.  I  have  always- 
fbMd  it^'good^torpreadr to  tiial  p^Ie :  God 
is  witbth^a— 4ie kaa n^ respieet to pessdiis-^; 
a^  colours  end  pecsoi^  are  alike  t^  'him>  if 
Ihey  feai*  liim'and  wolik  lr%ht<eou$Ei0i»2  We 
a^  aU  lJ^el¥ork'of  his  hand^^ffl^ 
hk  pasture^  '  The  A&ioails  here  fotm  a  very 
respfeetable  society ;  are  deceoit  iii  their  Ap- 
pearance, and«tri<$tly4eligtott3  add  moral  in 
their  deporfment.  A  fiiimber.of  the  ilfricaa 
preachers  are ^ menof sound judgnietifv good 
sense,  and  decent  education :  dn  the  whol(^ 
they  are  an  hononnto  the  m^jbodist  cause. -^'1 

T60  preceding  is  iall  the  journal  I  -kept 
whilHn4hecity.  Bufcthe  work  6flGoAiirA» 
constant  and  rapid  during  the  whole*  year^: 
and  the  folfowing  year^  and  has  been  gr^du-r 
aHy  going  on  ever  sfince,  which  is  now  five- 


» 1 1"  III  1 1  '"f  •  l'"wpipilipplp 


IP 


mmmifmiimm 


u 

i '  But  ndtvuthstandii^  tb^  ^rk  of  God  ^as 
great  and  powerful,  I  hud  many  trials  from 
vithout  iuid  frbni  withiii>  pirticulai^ly  ut  tfaa 
l^e  ^giiliiinB  of  tbd  year.  I  bad-considieii^ 
Ue  ofpotMod  trm  flame  who  did  oot  lik^  all 
mf,  proceidiiigi^  partibakrfy  my  .hdldiiig 
j^r^ty^er^meeth^  alter  preadiing  (^  Sunday 
^liiriiiingtg,^^^^^  tef  ipraaddlfg  in  ^e  PlMk. 
Bbd  I  ft0t  fedMv^d  tbe  pa^roaage  of  maiiy  at 
^^(ttsdTi^haara^teri,  I  mttithavi^  iAfiAk  rx^ 
Adtkay^SM^^  Siitlld^God^thattbi^^ 
the  ediincil\nd  prayers  of4hbs6%feth^^^^ 
often  reoetviid  i^#  covirag^  i^heii  lij^cm  tb^ 
p(Hnt  of  giving  these  exercises  ov^,  aild  I  have 
ever  stnde  feU  the  mftst  j^nciere  respect  fin* 
those  hr^hren. 

Several  ctn^nmstanccs  wbtdi  occurred 
diiringiaiy  stay  in  New-Yof k,  add  the  exer* 
cises  of  iti^  Mind  in  cdnseqtiwce  ofihem^ 
determined  me  id  alter  my  state  isf  life.  I 
had  ever  felt  a  deiermination  in  my  d\m 
mind,  to  inarry  w^never  I  conld  answ^  mrjr 
mind  in  my  ohoice  of  a  compamon.^^^ 
N<^  the  close  of  the  year,  by  a  series  of  cpn^ 
cltrring  citcumstances,  too  numerous  to  mm^ 
lion  here>  I  thought- H  my  duty  to  marry,  and 


Consequently  did  so,  '  Aa<i  tfaottgh  ifr  was  my 
fortune  to  inarry  a  poot  girl,  yet  I  have  had. 
no  cause  tovegret  it,  no,  not  for  One  moment 
asyiet.  -  AiUix  having  lived  with  her  ftfearly 
$ix  years,  I  am  more  anclnofibre  conviac^  tha^< 
my  choice  was  dictated  by  Ood;  for  dU]:in^' 
the  time  that  we  have  lived  together,  we  HavcP 
been  rediiced  (a  number  of  times)  to  the  ^'.^ 
t^eipe  of  sufferings  and  tfiala^  yet  I  have'  he^ 
verheard  hei'comj^ia :  -  but  at  all  such  tim*^. 
she  has  invariably  manifested  the  greatest  pa 
tience  and  resignation ;  aiidfrjequently,  whejn 
I  have  been  qutte  overwtidmed  with  trials;[ 
and  was  ready  to  give  over  travelling,  m  ac^ 
count  of  my  necessitous  circumstanfces,  she 
has  encouraged  me  to  continue  a>  little  loiig^ 
er ;  and  would  often  say,  God  will  open  pur' 
way  sooner  oi^later;  if  we  put  our  trust  in  him^ ; 
smd  do  our  duty>  and  agaiii  woiild  say,   Ne^ 
verljbtmy  sufferings  hinder  you  from  doings 
yf^iirdUty-=-*I  am  willing  to  bear  ray  part  of 
thftsuSeiings  which  your  calling  and  atten-^ 
tion  toyoiir  duty  sulbjects  us  to,   rather  than 
you  should  omit'  your  duty  on  my  account* 
And  I  can  truly  say,  that  the  wiHingness' 
which  she  ha9  manifested  to  suffer  for  th6 


c- 


"«^MP»l'»""»"'l'WPI»'^^l»»»  •)!        'WW  •'  I  J 


W»W"^i^«p"P^ 


46 

msm  of  Oo^  ha6  ofteb  inspired  me  with  aew 
<;oi||ragQ,wbeQ  I  have  been  ready  to  faint  hi 
9Qr  miod. 

Our  conference  this  year  .was  held  ia 
Coeyemau^s.  It  ke^gan  on  the  second  day  of 
]^y *  Al  tbid  coiiference  I  was  appointed  to 
a  missionary  statipa  Frooi  conference  Ire- 
iMrned  toConnectieut. 

^  May  10,  I807j  I  rode  ten  miles,  and  fwfc 
«p  at  a  tavern  inCoxaokie.  The  old  gen- 
tleman of  the  hoUse  was  very  sociable  for  a* 
time ;  btit  when  I  attacked  him  on:  his  princi* 
pies;,,  which  Wei»  rigidly  .Calmistic,  he  le- 
sQTjted  to  the  riteienaiiv^^  too  commoii  to  thos^ 
iiCthat  prJuticipl^Viz.  a0g^<»*  and  ofiminatioii^ 

Sunday  11,1  rode  ten  mites  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  preached  in  Catt^kiU  at  ten  o'clock-. 
\  kd  a  px^itms  season  with  that  little  per-^ 
secuted  society. .  This  society  I  had  formed 
9ome  yeais  before.  I  preached  at  first  in 
the  street,  as  there  was  no  Itmse  in  the  vil*- 
lage  opea  %r  our  reception.  In  theaft^ 
90oi3  I  ijode  to  LivingstonV  manor,  and 
pleached  in  the  evening  at  barother  DeckeE^S. 
One  mauiiappeared  to  be  powerfully  awaken*- 
ed,^  and  criedfor  m&ccy. 


*>-  ■■.. 


in 


47 


Monday  13, 1  rode  to  Dorset,  and  put  u^ 

ivith  friend  H ,  bnt  was  treated  with  the 

greatest  indifference  and  disrespect.  They 
neither  asked  nie  to  eat  nor  drink,  as  I  re- 
member. I  left  the  house  very  earl^  in  the 
linorning,  and  was  obliged  to  ride  ten  miles 
before  I  could  get  any  refreshment.  Soon  al- 
ter I  had  eaten  I  was  seized  with  a  violent 
vomitbg,  and  might  have  died  where  I  lay 
by  the  side  of  the  rode,  had  not  a  gentleman 
who  was  travelling  by  discovered  me,  and  as- 
jBisted  me  in  getting  to  a  houses  vAere  the 
peopte  treated  me  with  the  greatest  kmdnes9. 

Aftet  staying  a.t  this  house  for  some  hourst, 
I  rede  twelve  miles  further,  and  got  home  the 
same  evening.  After  staying  at  home  a  Tew 
days  I  0etouticNr  New-York.  Thefirstday 
ItodetoNorwalk,  and  through  the  inter- 
cesision  of  brother  D  I  preached  in  G»- 
naan  in  the  evening.  It  was  a  very  good  and 
refreshing  season :  many  of  the  people  ap* 
pea^  to  be  de^ly  awakened.  The  next 
^^'I  went  on  the  gjreen  near  tiie  presbyte- 
%an  slc^ii%-hpuse  in  Norwalk>  and  sung 
two  hymns  befc^e  I  could  collect  any  people. 
At  length  a  small  company  cai£Le  together,  (o 


ff]ifm  I  pr^chea.    There  ,wa9  f  gr^t .  seri- 
riQU8i)eps  and  attention  discovered  by  all  pre- 
pent^;   Xhe  same  day  I  preachei)  in  Middle- 
iex  to  a  few  people,  the  most  of  whom  w:ere 
greatjy  affected,  and  some  wept  aloud,    -j 
;    Sun4^y  18, 1  preached  in  Nprwalk  town- 
house  early  in  the  morning.     Ther^.appear- 
,ed  to  be  a  design  for  keeping  me  put;  of  the 
hoii^e,  but  by  means  of  a  small  boy  I  got  the 
,AooT  opened,  and  the  bell  rung,  .  A  liirge 
.APQijbier  of  people  collected,  ai^d  I  pr^aphed 
from  **The^  shall  go  away  into  everlastirig 
j^upi^bmont,  but  the  rightteous  into  life  eter- 
^nal."    A  deep  attention  appeared  in  fevery 
:  countenance— ^maaay  wept,  and  I  trust  that 
som§  gpoA  was  done.    In  the  after^op^^  ^  I 
preached  at.  a  sphool-hopie  al^ut  op§  mUe 
ftomthetovmtpupe,     Mffii^,]^^^^ 
.  04.    The  il«prd  W:a8  eminently  present  :wit|i 
us:— -ins^y  sh^Jatc^  ploud  the  pjr^seEf  of  Gfp4 
---some, wept,  and  (Ah^rf  traiibjed,  andsppie 
iied  frptti  the  houBe.    It  was.  on  the  whole  a 
glorious  ^  tiiflie. ,     After  ^meetiiig  I  rpdi  ^ 

Stamfctd,  (fdght  mil^  indi^W3|)ie^;Mi^ 
]^j^i^  tp  a,sCTipusjppi|- 

gregation,  hut  rather  hard.    The  Lord  was 
precious  to  my  soul. 


s  . 


4d 


^ 


Monday  I  rodethirty'seven  mil«s  toNe^ 
York,  aiMl  took  my  losings  at  Alexander 
BiaLnk8^  much  out  of  health,  and  v^y  much 
73it%tied. 

Wednesday  211,  At  six  o'clock  1  preached 
in  ihe  Park,  to  a  very  large  concourse  of  seri* 
0U8  well-hehaved  people. 

Thursday  ^%  I  preached  again  in  the  Park, 
to  soihei  thbusaMs  of  people.  The  niighty 
power  of  God  was  displayed,  aM  a  solemn 
awe  seemed  to  rest  on  every  mind.  Some 
trembled,  while  others  wept  and  shouted 
aloud  the  praises  of  God.  At  half  past  deven 
in  the  evening  I  preached  in  the  Bowery 
meeting-chouse,  to  a  crowded  cofigregatton ; 
aiid  the  presence  and  power  of  God  seemed  to 
perVade  the  whole  assembly.  The  shouts 
of  God's  people,  ^nd  the  cries  and  screeches 
of  those  tb/onvicted,  quite  drowned  my  voice. 
Many'feU  prostrate!  on  thefloor,  and  the  plice 
was  gloriously  awful  by  reascm  of  the  Lord's 
pre^nce.    I  trust  some  good  was  dene. 

Friday  213, 1  rode  to  Tuckeboe  to  brother 
Sherwood^s.  The  next  day  I  wassick, and 
kept  my  bed:  but  glory  to  God  I  was  ha|qpy 


£ 


-f^m 


^PPP" 


V 


50 

jo  tfae  Lord,  and  ftlt  willingdo  £e  wheq^vei 
I  can  beof  nomore  um  in  the  world. 

Sundaj  ^25, 1  preached  at  a  new  place  on 
the  post  road.  The  people  appeared  to  giifl|i 
good  attention,  but  they  were  uncoounonly 
hard.  At  five  o'clock  I  preached  at  tfae  ilUf 
thodist  meeting-hou9e  in  Tarry  town.  I  bd- 
Ueve  that  the  power  and  presence  oC  God  was 
Adt  by  all  presenly  and  (me  woal  wait  M^i^kea* 
ed.  Hare  a  Dittch  Refiormed  minister  nt- 
lermed  bis  people  that  an  impostor  was  going 
to  preach  in  the  Methodist  meeting-house,  in 
order  «to  hinder  the  people  Lffom  beaiing 
9ie.  But  the  pecftle-'a  curiosity  was  so  much 
excited  to  see  an  imppstpr,  that  I  had  many 
more  to  preach  to  than  I  otherwise  should 
have  had;  but  one  of  our  brethren  threat- 
ening to  prosecute  him  for  defan^icNii  he 
absconded  early  the  next  morning. 

Monday  3^  I  rode  eleven  miles  toCoH^r- 
barrick,  and  preached  in  the  evening  at  bro^ 
ther  Aud'^son's.  It  was  a  good  and  gracious 
time  to  many  souls — God's  people  shouted 
aloud  for  joy. 

Tuesday  Q7?  I  cross^  the  river  to  Har ve?- 
traw. 


51 


Wednesday  M,  I  preached  in  the  evening 
at  brotlMnr  Nooal'd.  Il  waf  a  good  time,  and 
reireriiingtoinaiiy  8oals. 
^  Tkttrtdaj  W,  I  rode  fourtera  mileslo  Tach 
pan,  and  preached  in  the  evening  ii^  a  ^choul- 
'^hcflBse.  The  people  in  this  place  are  princk 
^ly  Dutch,  are  very  tenatioiis  of  their  old 
tridflions,  and  much  prejntbced  against  the 
lirtliodists ;  nevertheless  there  was  a  good 
immber  that  attend/ed,  and  appeared  serious 
«ifd  wellrhehaved. 

fViday  30, 1  rode  fourteen  miles  to  an  En* 
l^iflh  aettlenient,  and  preached  in  thewoodi 
lp%  large  cofq;r^tion  rf  people,  among 
whom  were  two  presbyteriao  ministers.  I 
feh  the  mighty  powar  and  presence  of  God 
while  I  announced  the  curses  of  the  law  a- 
gUost  the  workers  of  iniquity.  I  felt  as  if 
some  good  was  done.  One  young  man  was 
powerfully  awakened,  and  followed  me  to  my 
next  appointment,  and  constantly  w^t  dur-> 
ing  preadiing.  At  my  evening  app(»ntment 
a  very  singular  circumsiance  took  place. 
Our  meeting  was  held  in  a  barn,  in  conse- 
quence ^  the  ntitnber  c^  people  being  so 
great  thact  the  h'^uae  could  not  contain  then^. 


"'^PWiprar'^'WIP'*^ 


Q5 


There  was  heard  hy  all  present  an  extraordr* 
nary  thumping  on  the  outside  of  the  barn. 
Immediately  after  it.  was  heard  on  the  scaSbM 
above  our  heads.  \  The  people  were  allpanic 
struck.  An  awful  silence  reigned  anKmg 
them  for  fifteen  minutes;  when  all  on  a  ntii^j 
den  there  :wa3  a  general  outcry :  the  wicked 
trembled  and  shook,  and  some  cried  aloud. 
loainAodiately  after  the  noise  ceased,  the  power 
of  God  came  down  on  the  people  in  the  .most 
extraordinary  manner  I  ever  beheld ;  the  terr 
ror  and  joy  that  seeriied  to  reign  alternately, 
rendered  the soeneas  impressive  as  any  that 
has  ever  occurred  in  the -compass  of  my  know- 
ledge during  twelve  yearjsi  tr^^velling^  and  I 
think  it  will  be  remembered  by  many  who 
were  present  to  theday  of  .eternity. 

Saturday,  I  rode  twelve  miles  and  preach-* 
ed  i.t  five  o'clock  in  Clarkiown  courthouse. 
It  being  the  day  for  the  meeting  of  the  officers 
of  the  militia,  we  had  a  very  large  congrega- 
tioG  of  people ;  but  a  more  hard  and  ill-bred 
set  of  people  I  never  saw. 
.  Sunday,  At  ten  o'clock  I  preached  in  Har- 
vestraw  to  a  nuoierous,  concourse  of  people. 
There  was  a  very  great  !3ove  among  therti : 


5d 

manf  scouted,  ottiers  wepfaloii ;  and  smiie 
cried  fer  mercy.  It  was  oil  the  ^vhole  a  good 
and  glorious  time.  Id  the  afternooh  I  cross- 
ed G»v€r  ibe  wet  toCoIIarbarrick ;  but  we 
did  but  just  escape  wiA  our  lives:  the  wind 
dr^ve  the  waves  in  upon  Ud  a  number  o^ 
titoeiB,  but  through  ttie  kind  iitterpbsition  of 
H^v^n  we  were  p^eser^ :  but  lean  truly 
say,  that  in  the  midst  ^  my  danger  my  mind 
mind  was  tranquil  Kind  stayed  on  C^od :  the 
fear  0f  death  Was  gon^ :  I  felt  that  God  w^d 
reidoi^iSed.  This  afternoon  i  preached  inth^ 
M^tiodidt  meeting'h6ti«e/ It  was  very  rainy, 
au^butSawpeopIeeittehdad-Mrc^  had  but  a 

*uiktii!ne. 

^  Afoad^,  June  I,  Ijrode  elevien  miles  to 

■^yrrytowfl,  andprfjachod  ta  the  evenmg  tp  a 

a^GDiifiderableiiumberofs^ious,  united)  hap- 

py '«p«;ep}e/ on  Cjuistiin  Perfection/    The 

Lord^  iiKta»  present  Tvith  us  of  a  truth:  God's 

peofdie  shoiif.ed--H5(^e  wept,  and  some  ran ; 

butit  fi^as  agood  time. 

^»  [Tuesday,  rode  tiKi  miles  tothecan^p^me^tf 

ing  «t  Tfidpehoe.    At  this  camp-meeting  *»he 

Lovd  wi^dught  woiidets-^iteaiiy  souls  w^e 

hop€luU$r  -eenverted,  and^  others  sanctiSei 


^ 


Our  m  etitig  lasted  until  Friday  noon.    I 
rode  id  the  afternoon  eleven  miles  to  the  Col- 
larbiirrick.      *   ^ 
.SatMtd^ay  6^  I  todfs  seven  mil^,  and  pi^eaeb^ 
ed  ',  in   the    Presbyterian  meeting^houte ;  in 
Peekslikill.   In  Cfmsequen(;e  of  th&rain,  I  sti^y- 
ed  and  preathcNlihe]^  again  on  the  Sidjiafith 
at tetl  o'clock*    Ididnoifee}  much  liberty 
is  my  mind,  bluing  much  harrassed    wiUi 
temptations.^  In  the  afternoon  I  rodethlr- 
teeia/milies  over  the:  Highlands,  9;nd  preached 
to'  a  c^gri^tiod  of  Baptists.    I  came  ta  4he 
place  just  as  the  JBaptidt  preacher  hjaddis- 
missed  hm  coBgregatioid.    1  intr^oedipy- 
self  to  him  a&  a  ]Vf ethocUst  raissipaiffy,^and 
requited  1iberl^t>f  him  to  preach  to  Msl^eo- 
ple^  which  he  readily  granted,  and  stayed 
iiimself  to  hear  me.    I  pr^eacfaedonithsf  sub- 
ject of  Chrtf^ian  Perfiection.     The  p«op|ie  re- 
ci^ved  the  doctci^e'  as  cordiaUyfii^Ir could 
wish-^many  of  them  expressed  theiir  heairty 
concurrence  in  it.    The  preacher  was  qpda- 
blfe^fiidfriendfy:  we  parted  in  love.    I  trust 
>^8iat  some  good  was  done».   Onlay  it  be  re- 
remembered  lu  4<6rnity'for  good  to  ev^y  souL 
In  the  evening  I  prieacliedat  St— >—  W*'J'  ■  ^g«  's- 


^^ 


( 


56 


in  Fii^iU,  ta  more .  j[>eo^le;  than  the  bouse 
could  Gcmtain.  Many  of  tbeiii  appeared  to 
be  mmh  afibc ted :  I  found  good  liberty  in 
spes^iog?r?thetLd»:dfiw'ad;prj^  to  Qiy  soul. 
Monday  8, 'Brotl^r  Wr?^— ^  went  iito 
JE'ishkill  town  in  onler.  to.  procure  some  place 
Sot  me  tof»rea(^at  LJkipoiitio&efi^ibr.  each 
of  tibei4Heetid^hdii««^?bfit  hisjpftitions  were 
rejected  with  disdain.  He  then  strode  to  ob- 
taiioi  a 'private  house,  but  was  denied.  Bf 
liiia«tinifilajrriy«cfem  town,  when  he  met, me 
^isiiinidrmed  pieof  bis  disappiHiitmient^  I 
tb^iweMbtoctJxe  street;  and  sunglMo 
hjimns,  sitting  pa  my  horse,  'iAfcw,  people 
colloct€id^:to.whom  I  gave  an^^xhiortation, jmd 
^ok  the  dbf t  bffiiiwy  feet  aaa testis^ony  a- 
^instlhei^^  and  left  t|iem  and  rode  |o  Pongh- 
l:ee|>8ie  tfie  ea^e  evening,  eleven  w '  tea  die- 
tahfce,^  Then^xtev^nij^.Ipeacheu  m^ 
.  Methododist  meetkg-haetse  in  that  pli^e-  I 
i|elt  ,^^t  liberty  in>jnyi  soul,  and  wa^  happy 
'  4p;thfi:LiQrd,i^^>^'i5^':v  -•  ,.  ;;,. 
-inllttjesday  9,  I^stayedfc  Ppughk^epae:  and 
pi^bediufttee^faiing  tp.a  Ifurgg  eontgi^ga- 
tionC  I  il  M%  Bbierty  in  speaking, .  and.  ti^ust 
flome^gDod  was'  done.  WU«^ 
were  much  affected. 


MibtfMMIMni 


56 


r  Wednesday  10, 1  rode  seventeen  Imlw  ia 
Rhinebeck.  I  felt  iny mind  tbis  ixy  niucb 
stayed  oatbel^rd,  and  fully  determined  to 
be  for  Ood  the  remainder  of  my  days. 

Thursday  1  i,  I  demoted  this  day  to  prayer, 
reading,  and  m^editation.  I  felt  in  a  good  mea- 
sure the  presen(m»of  God  in  my  soul.  Inibt 
evening  i  pfeached  atbrother  G^-— ^'alD  a 
few  serious  genteel  people. 

Friday  10, 1  rode  eleven  miles  to  brother 
Row^'s,  and  preached  at  &ur  .o'dodt,  v.  ml 
In  the  Methodt0|imeetiog-4iouse,  on  iioliaeaa 
of  Heart.  The  Lord  was  powerfully  present 
-^--some  were^slain  to  the  floor^r-oihersi  diout^ 
edaloud  for  joy-^*<Hcme  lay  on  the  floor  till  near 
ten.Q'dock  at  night.  Our  bredtren  comtinsH 
ed  during  the  meeting  in  earnei^  ^yerto 
God:  some  souk  appeared  t4^  be  awakei^d. 
Q]io0  to  God  &»*  whtttiny  ^es  savk,  and  for 
what  my  heart  felt  during  this  meeting. 
\  Saturday  13, 1  rode  to  Mount  Ross,  six 
miles.  The  meeting  Was  appointed  in  the. 
open  i&eld.  Some  hundr^s  of  people  at- 
tend^ on  the occft3io%iX preached  standing 
on  It  ^tmp.  ;  i  Brother  G— 7-^iid  bro&ir  I> — - 
exbortedv    in  Jbeiefourse  of  the  meeting  one 


•"*• 


57 


poor  miserable  dmnkard  fell  to  thi^tmd 
and  cried  aloud  formercy.  After  oiir first 
meeting  was  pver,  tlie  peoj^e  seemed:  deteir- 
mined  not  to  leave  the  plabe ;  therrfore,  af- 
ter a  few  minutes  intermission,  I  pteachedto 
them  again  [our  number,  during  this  time 
c(Mitinued  td  increase]  on  the  subject  erf  Chris- 
tian Perfection.  '  The  air  resounded  ^ith  the 
shouts  of  the  happy  blest:  One i  fell  pros- 
trate to  the  giound,  and  cried  aloud  for  mercy 
for  a  while,  and  then  seemed  to  sWoon  away, 
aiid  all  her  itnotions  ceased.  I  beHeve  that 
the  Lord  would  have  grants  her  reli^  in  a 
shcHTt  tmleif  her  wicked'u][Xcle'ba^iQM]ft  dragged 
heir^flkt'of  the  meeting.  When  h^  got  h^r  home 
he  tried  a  number  of  experirr^ehts  to  wake  her 
up^a^heTcalledit.  HepuHed'faer  under  jaw 
tilllhe  blood  gushed  butr^f' her  inoikih:  ne^ 
vertheless  she  remained  enlifdl)^^  tiaotionless 
till  about  Diner  o'clock  in  the  e^nihg, ;  when 
the  >Ldrd  liberated  her  soul  and  body,  and 
f aiiN^  h€r  upalivmg  witness  of  his  pardon- 
ing mercy.  During  liie  time  she  coMiniied 
in  her  helpless  situation,  multitudis  of  peo- 
ple of  every  descriptidn  wept  to  see  her.  N6 
coubt  there  were  many  opinions  respecting 


tl 


■"^ 


5g 


ber  exercises:;  but  tbe  generai  opinion  seem- 
^  to  be,  iMi  the^  were  the  efieds  of  the 
eperatiMjflf  the  idiviae  Spirit;  particiilarly 
the  wonmuibf  the  fajouse,  who,  previous  to 
this  occnrrence  wai^  no  profeffitor^  but  ati 
(^poser  to  religion,  was  constrained  to  ai> 
knowledge  tfa»t  her  ezercisfs  were  caused  by 
the  mighty  powerioC  God.  I  trust  that  this 
meeting  iKrill  tend  to  tbe  frntiiering  of  the  gQd»* 
pel,  and  the  religion  of  our  Lord  and  Savibut 
Jesus  Christ. 

Sttodaj  14,1  rode  inthemoming  fivennleB 
to  neasant  Tallejr.  Hereliisaiid  m  large 
coDgregation  coliectedln  an  ordmtd,  io  v^hotn 
I  preached.  Many  appeared  to  be  prfdied  to 
the  heart;  and ibaiyeTeason  to  believe  tiiat 
thnoppcrtnnitywillbetemfinibeved  by  ma^ 
ay  preckna  souls  iia  eternity.  Inlthe  after^ 
noon  I  rode  ft^mtles,  and  preached  in  a  place 
catte  1  lohnstinvn,  to  a  hrge^^^in^'egation; 
but  a  more  band  and  senMless  people  I  do 
not  recollect  of  ever  preaching  to.  I  prepcfar 
ed  in  the  open  6dd.  1  felt  greatly  dBstressf 
ed  when  I  considered  the  daogeFOUs  situation 
that  these  predbtis  souls  were  in. 


<s 


.1> 


«9 

^.%  JMondft;  15, 1  was  constrained  to  cxj  aloud 
t^  ih^  L»rd»  &c  ii  seemed  thi^^  I ,  coiM  ndi 
live  on  account  eSmy  distress  of  spul  which  I 
leltfer  the  careless  multitude  in  this  place 
that  are  heedlessly  running  the  dawn war4 
r^  to  eternal  rcrin.  Noone  butGedl^nows 
what  deep  distress  of  miadIwasexerciBe4 
with  this  day.  At  elev^  o'clock  t  preached 
kft  Clermont,  to  a  decent,  serioua  peoj^le.  We 
had  some  little  disturbancey  but  oa,  the  whole 
it  was  a  good  tinoe. 

Tuesday  l6,  I  preaclied  in  a  ta^era  in 
Johnstowm  la  general  the  people  were  sor 
k^an  and  aU^nti^e ;  some  were  much  a&ctr 
ed)  audi  hope  that*  som^  good  was  dooc^  The 
same  evening  I  rode  to  Hudson,  nine  wlesi, 
and  preached  in  die  market  to  i»  few  .earless 
rude  people.  I  fear  but  little  good  was  done. 
I  find  heavy  crosses  of  late.  I  a^  almost  rear 
dy  sometimes  to  afarink  from  the  cross.  Oh! 
if  sinnecsdid  but  know  how  siacerely  I  wish 
th^r  salvation,  tliey  would  not  nriock  and  ridi- 
cule the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  The  same 
evening  I  preached  ia  a  sehool-roonE^  which 
wm  crowded  with  peqple.  It  was  a  refresh- 
ing season  to  my  souL 


I"WI^«^»" 


mimmmmm 


Wediiesday  17, 1  rod€  to  Albany,  (tl^y 
miles).  In  tke  ev^ing  I  afttended  a  prayer^ 
taeeting.  DiikJtor  P-^-^— ^  gave  notice  that  1 
would  preach  in  the  Pasture  in  two  weeks 
from  that  day. 

^  ^'  Thunsday  18, 1  tode  to  the  Hellebarrick, 
td  brother  Tabor*s, 

'  Frid^y^^ening,  I  preached  in  the  meeting- 
house, to  a  small  cdlection  of  people.  The 
Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth. 

Saturday,  Brother  Tabor  accomp^ied  me 
to  Schoharry,  and  obtained  a  place  for  me  to 
preach  in  a  private  house,  where  I  preachiBd 
in  the  afternoon  to  a  small  number  of  peopte. 
But  they  seemed  to  be  very  jealous  and  afraid 
of  me.  - 

Sunday  ^1,  I  preached  in  Hhe  village. 
There  were  but  a  few  present  when  I  began 
meeting,  t^t  we  had  more  than  the  house 
could  contain  before  I  conducted.  It  is  pro* 
babl€f  that  there  are  no  people  in  the  world 
more  set  in  their  old  professions  and  traditions 
than  the  people  in  Old  Schoharry.  I  spake 
pointedly  ag^nst  sabbath-breaking,  drunk- 
enness, swearing,  dancing,  and  gambling,  for 
which  crimes  the  people  in  this  place  are  no- 


61 


torknis.  I  stayed  at  a  tavern.  Saturday 
eveningf  After  I  had  got  to  bQc|>  (bere  came  in 
a  x^ompaay  of  people  of  different  ages  and  pro*- 
fusions,  together  with  a  fidler,  and  begap  to. 
dance,  and  continued  it  until  day-light  oa 
Sunday,  morning ;  and  when  I  sp^ke  to  them 
against  these  things,  they  toldme  theii;  dcmi- 
ni  did  the  same,  apd  sometimes  much  worse ; 
tjiat  he  was  frequently,  so  intoxicated  aa  tQ 
be  unfit  to  preach.  I  never  was  ihore  seasible 
of  the  trjith  of  what  the  prophet  says,  yi^. 
**  tike  priest,  like  people."  l3runken  priest^ 
^rutt^en  professors.  And  yet  there  are  ^p 
people  more  tenacious  of  ibeir  religion  than 
this  class  of  professors ;  none  are  ragre  .£^fraid 
of  itinovations  in  their  religion, . nor  niore  op- 
pos^d  to  all  those  who  preath  strict  morality. 
111  the  afternoon  I  i*(kfet6^  Sharon,  stventeen 
miles,  and  pr^ched  to  a  targe  congregation 
of  people,  many  of  whoiii  were  iiiuch  affect- 
ed. The  society  wasr  rather  low,  but  some 
of  them  a]^pearie^  to  be  revised  and  r6fi^eehed. 
r  stayed  among  my  friends  uilM  '!fh^i*sday 
morning;  ■       ' 

Tc^esday  1  preiched  in  a  sitiall  isdiool- 


62 


V 


house.    I  had  but  a  dull  time.    I  fear  thai 
the  word  had  but  little  effect. 

Thursday,  at  two  o'clock,  I  preached  again 
in  Schoharry,  and  afterwards  rode  to  the  HeK 
lebarrick,  and  put  up  at  brother  Brown's,  a 
local  preacher,  a  zealous,  good,  useful  man. 
He  wa^  formerly  a  Baptist  preacher;  but 
from'  conscientious  motives  joined  the  Metho- 
dists, and  has  adorned  his  christian  and  minis- 
terial character  ever  since,  which  has  been  a 
great  number  of  years. 

Friday  I  rode  to  Schenectady,  and  preachr 
ed  in  the  market  at  five  o'clock,  f.  m.  The 
militia  were  on  duty  this  day.  When  I  be- 
gan to  preach,  about  twenty  came  up  to  tilie 
market,  ground^  their  arms,  and  attimd- 
ed  totbe  word  with  the  gjreatest  seriousness 
and  attention .  About  twenty  of  the  students 
of  the  college  attended  at  the  same  time.  All 
were  serious  and  attentive,  except  one  or  two 

drunken  men.  The  sara^.evening  I  preacji- 
ed  in  a  school-room  to  a  loving,  h^py,  pros- 
perous society. 

Saturday  I  rode  to  Albany,  sixteen  mileSi 
and  found  t^t  xay  appajntment  was^  in  the 
Pasture  at  eight  o'clock  next  day. 


63 


Sunday  it  rsSned  in  the  looming,  neverthe- 
less I  weht  to  the  Pasture  at  the  time  appoint-* 
ed,  and  foUnd  about  one  thousand  peopte  ga- 
thered :  I  preached  to  them  on  <he  neW  biirth ; 
and  notwithstanding  it  rained  th^  whole  tim^ 
I  was  speakiDt^,  the  people  appeared  insensi- 
ble to  the  ratn,  and  manifested  the  most  eager 
desire  to  hear  the  word  <tf  God-^themosf 
profound  silence  reigned  during  the  whole 
exercised.  At  two  o'clock  I  preached  in  the 
Methodist  meeting-^ouse,  to  more  people 
than  ^uld  get  in.  It  was  a  solemn  and  pow* 
^ul  time;  At  five  o'clock  I  preached  in  the 
Pasture  agab,  on  these  words — ^**  Turn  you 
to  die  f^ittoug  bold,  ye  prisoners  of  hope,"  &c. 
The  hUfliber  present  was  computed  at  live 
tfaous&nd,  and  a  more  soleitin,  attentive  con- 
gregation, I  do  not  recollect  of  ever  preach- 
ing to,  either  in  a  house  or  in  the  field.- — 
Hundreds  wept,  some  aloud;  some  Roman 
CatfaoHcs  smote  upon  their  breasts,  and 
criM — " God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner" 
If  1  ^ver.  felt . divine  assistance,  I  did  on  this 
oecaiton ;  ind  I  ipsd  fully  confident  had  the 
work  been  encouraged  at  this  time,,  there 
wtMd  have  been  a  great  work  of  religion  in 


mummmmm 


(j4. 


Albany.  I  must  believe  that  scores  of  souls 
were  awakened  this  day^  But  some  whose 
busineas  it  ought  to  jbave  been  to  encourage 
thedawniogofr.  formation^  were,  to  allap*- 
pear^nce,  un^er  the  influence  of  prejudice^ 
and  jealousy.  But  I  forbear — my  work  is 
with  the  Lord,  andalUhings  are  at  bis  dispo- 
sal* « I  would  just  notice,  that  one  or  two 
professed  inftdels  were  couvinced  of  their 
delu^]9ns,  on  this .  occasion,  and  professed,  at 
least,  a  belief  in  the  Christian  Religion.  I 
prdiched  since  at  the  house  of  one  of  them. 
I  cannot  forbear  making  one  remark  in  thid 
place  respecting  the  causes  of  mfidelity  a- 
mpng  us.  I  have  frequently,  in  the  course  of 
my  travelling,  observed  that  those,  infidels 
who  have  been  brought  to  embrace  the  chris- 
tian religion,  have  generally  declared  that 
the  principal  cause  of  their  embracing  deism, 
is  the  doctrine  of  absolute  predestination,  as 
preached  by  the  Calvinists.  For  thus  they 
reason;^ — That  if  God  did  from  all  eternity 
foreordain  all  things  that  come  topas^,  he 
iliust  have  foreordained  all  things  right  or 
wrong;  or  a  part  right  and  a  patt  wrong. 
To  suppose  that  he  ordained  some  things 


66. 


right  and  others  wrong,  would  lead  us  to  con- 
olude»  that  he  himself  was  partly  good  and 
partly  evil ;  whioh  idea  would  deairoy  his 
being.  And  to  suppoae  thai  he  ordained  all 
things  wrong,  would  be  equally  absurd ;  for- 
asmuch as  this  would  make  him  a  being  al- 
together evil,  and  consequently  unworthy  to 
be  worshipped.  The  only  remai  ning  conclu- 
sibn  then  is,  that  he  foreordained  all  tilings 
right,  consequently  there  can  be  nothing 
MTfuug.  And  if  every  thing  is  right,  all  his 
creatures  do  that  which  is  pleasing  in  his 
sif^t,  for  they  can  do  no  otherwise,  Unless 
they  can  make  that  wrong  which  God  has  de- 
creed should  be  right.  The  natural  infer- 
en<^eihen  isythereisnos^chthing  as  moral 
evil  in  the  universie-^tiien  there  is  no  need 
of  a  Saviour-— for  he  could  not  save  us  from 
sin,  if  we  had  no  sin  to  be  saved  from ;  which 
certdinly  wehavenbt,  if  the  premises  above 
stated  are  true.  Oh!  may  ibel^prd  in  mer- 
cy Btiive  us  from  ^eh:  principles'.  But  to  re- 
turn— • 

Mdtiday  I  rode  io  Troy,  apd  spent  the 
M^eek  alteiriiatelytHeteind  at  Lansingbuigb, 
dui*ifig  xkrWicbtiirie  I  preached  tbrei^  times  in 


H. 


:■  tr 


'vW'' 


66 


the  court-house  and  once  in  a  private  house 
in  Troy,  and  once  in  th$  English  church  in 
l^ansing^urgh.  I  had  pi*ecious  times,  and  ^n- 
enjoyed  ray  miiW.  well :  and  I  have  reason  to 
believe  that  some  good  was  done. 

The  week  after  I  /ode  fifty  miles  west  of 
Albany,  and  returi^^d  the  same  week. 

Sunday,  July  12;  I  preached  twice  in  the 
pasture,  in  Albany :-— the  last  time  to  about 
two  thousand  people.  The  mighty  power  of 
God  seemed  to  rest  on  the  assembly :  many 
wept  aloud.  I  can  truly  say,  that  the  place 
was  none  dse  but  the  house  of  God,  andtha 
gate  of  heaven. 

Monday  14, 1  rode  twenty-four  rqiles  ta 
town,  and  put  up  with  captain  Mead.  I 


f^lt  py  mind  stayed  on  the  Lord,  and 
tranquil. 

T  uesday,  I  rode  twenty-six  miles,  to  bro- 
ther M^Crodye's,  and  preached  to  a  large 
numbe'-  of  people  for  a  country  place,  and  we 
had  a  tolerable  gopd  time,  though  nothing 
extraordinary.  • 

Wednesday,  I  rode  fourteen  miles,  through 
a  heavy  rain,  to  Fort  Edward,  and  preached 
to  ?ismaii  number  of  formal,  dead  Methp- 


^■■t' 


67 


't 


dials,  at  three  o'clock ;  and  at  five  o'clock  I 
preached  at  a  place  called  Sandy-Hill,  in  thef 
court-houa0.  We  had  about  sixty  people 
who  were  very  attentive,  and  some  of  them 
apparently  serious  and  well-disposed.  We 
stayed  that  night  at  a  tavern.  The  landlord, 
Mr.  Lamb,  and  hia  family,  treated  us  very 
genteely,  and  with  a  great  deal  of  hospitali- 
ty— ^may  the  Lord  reward  them  for  their 
kindness  to  uso 

Thursday,  we  rode  thirty-three  m^les,  to 
Skeensborough.  My  horse  I  find  fails  me — 
the  weather  is  excessively  hot:  but  God's 
promise  is  s's^re-^As  thy  day  is,  so  shall  thy 
strength  be. 

Friday,  I  ro^e sixteen  miles;  but  was  dis- 
appointed of  a  congregation,  by  reason  of  my 
appointment  not  being  given  out.  I  stayed 
at  Mr.  Campbell's,  in  Benson,  state  of  Ver- 
mont. They  are  a  kind  and  hospitable  family. 
I  felt  very  much  fatigued  in  body,  and  much 
exercised  in  mind  with  trials  and  temptations.  ^ 
I  find  that  it  will  be  through  much  tribula- 
tion tha^  1  shall  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Saturday  18, 1  rode  sixteen  miles  to  Shor- 
am,    I  put  up  with  brother  Barlows,  two 


■fe-'. 


-■-  ■  -^"-"^ 


1 


^ggngi 


mm 


i 


mm^mg^ii^mmm 


68 


good  and  gracious  yonngmen,  who  have  for- 
saken all  for  Christ  and  Ms  tftase.  Ithaok 
God  thaf  I  have  founH  a  place  where!  can 
rest  for  a  few  days.  But  I  am  much  disajn 
pointed  in  not  finding  my  ap)[K)intm^t8  gi^^ 
out,  as  I  expect^  a  string  of  appoii^tmeiBits 
through  the  state.  I  have  in  consequence  of 
this  disappointment  determined  immediately 
to  return  to  New-Ydrk. 

ISuiiday  19/  I  crossed  Lake  Cfaaiuplains 
and  preached  at  ten  o'clock  to  a  few  hard- 
hearted pieople.  We  re-crossed  at  one  o'clock 
— ^the  rain    pOured  on   us  incessantly.    I 
preached  at   two  o'clock.    Brother  Dillon/ 
(who  had  accompanied  me  on  this  tour)  ex- 
horted; and  then  we  turned  our  meeting  in- 
to a  prayer-meeting.    One  backslider  was 
re-awakened.    At  five  o'clock  I  preached  iu 
a  large  school-room,  to  inbre  people  than 
could  possibly  get  in.    I  felt  good  liberty, 
and  I  trust  that  many  felt  the  word  to'be  like 
a  ttN^m^  sword,  to  pierce  thiBir  hcaatts.    I 
rode  tlua  day  ten  miles,  and  preacli<ed  three 
times. 

"  Monday  Qd,l  rode  twenty  mites  fo  Bran- 
don, and  put  up  with  captain  Horton. 


Sa] 
mi 

to 

tW( 

ven 


mmmmm 


wpi^sppppp  J  iimii  m{'{«4 


" Wf""  '  ■"» i";»i '\>  '■  fi"' '  I".'    '■  <««)!>','»)> 


-vivwr ' 


69 


Tuesday  21, 1  visited  among  our  isociety  i 
but  O !  I  could  not  refrain  from  weeping 
\yhen  I  took  a  view  of  this  society,  and  com-^ 
pared  it  with  the  state  that  it  wa«  in  but  two 
years  before.  They  were  then  in  a  growing 
state;  but  now  many  of  them  have  mpved 
aVray,  and  some  are  turned  b^k,  I  am  afraid, 
to  perdition^  and  the  rest  of  them  are  general- 
ly lifeless,  I  preached  in  the  presbyterian 
meeting-house.  I  think  that  I  delivered  my 
whole  soul.  Ifeel  this  day  that  I  am  clear 
from  the  blood  of  all  men.    . 

Wednesday  22,  I  rode  twenty  miles  to 
Rutland,  ^nd  held  a  prayer-meeting  in  the 
evening.  One  young  womin  appeared  to  be 
powerfully  awakened,  and  cried  aloud  for 
s(Hiie  hours  for  niercy,  but  she  did  not  find 
peace  to  her  soul. 

Thursday  23, 1  rodie  thirty-eight  miles  to 
Salem,  and  put  up  at  a  tavern.  I  held  no 
meetings  this  day.        / 

Friday,  I  rode  to  Ashgrove,  and  fromtherp 
to  Tray,  (forty  miles)  where  I  arrived  b€^- 
tween  eight  and  nine  o'clock  in  the^evening; 
very  much  fatigued  and  worn  down. 

Saturday  24, 1  rested. 


'! 


m&- 


70 

jSuiiday^5, 1  preached  in  the  court-house 
at  ten  a'clock,  and  then  crossed  the  river  and 
prea^fied  in  Washington  at  three  o'clock,  an4 
r^-crosaed  and  preached  in  the  court-house  a- 
gaia  iir  the  evening.  I  found  this  a  good  day 
to  my  soul,  andbdieve  it  was  a  refreshing 
seascm  to  many  senilis.  Thereisagbod  soci- 
ety in  Troy.  Altbmigfa  they  are  few  in  nura^r 
bers,  yet  I  tliink  the  niost  of  them  walk  wor- 
thy of  thehr  high  caMng.  Since  the  time  that 
I  was  there  theyhav^hadalarge  increase  of 
numbers,  and  at  present  ihey  are  lively  and 
flouri&hing. 

Troy,  as  to  its  natural  situatbn,  stands  on 
the  bgorders  of  tiie  Hudson  river^  on  a  dry, 
gravel  ti»ttom/  No  labour  in  paving  the 
streets  is  necessary,  except  in  a  few  places. 
It  is  laid  out  in  squares— the  streets  cross 
each  other  at^right  aisles,  and  Ihe  place  po- 
pulates remarieably  fast.  The  Quakers  have 
a  large  society  in  this  city.  The  Baptists 
alifo  bavea;  targe  society  here,  but  have  dimin- 
ishedl  sotne  since  the  last  revival  among  the 
Methodists.  -  The  Presbyterians  are  mucn 
mpre  liberal  in  this  pfaee  than  either  the  Qtia- 
kers  or  Baptists.  - 


/ 


ma  ""'< 


71 

Within  two  weeks  paai^  I  have  travelled 
upwards  of  tbfee  hundred;  miles»  and  preach^- 
ed  about  twenty  times i  inconsequence  of 
which  I  feel  myself  extremely  worn  down; 
but  glory  be  to  God,  his  grace  I  find  is  suffir 
cient  for  me  in  all  my  trials  and  labours. 
Tuesday  27,  I  rode  twenty  miles  to  Coeye^ 
mans,  and  preached  in  the  afternoon  in  the 
Methodist  meeting-bouse.  It  was  a  good  and 
gracious  season  to  my  soul,  and  to  the  souk 
of  others. 

Wednesday  218, 1  rode  twenty-four  miles 
to  New-Durham,  and  preached  in  the  meet- 
ing-house. Glory  to  God^  we  had  a  shout  in 
the  camp^  I  felt  well  in  my  own  souli. and  I 
hope  that  it  will  not  be  a  lost  season  to  any 
j^esent, 

Thursday  39, 1  was  muck  out.  of  healthy 
and  kept  my  bed  most  of  the  day. 

iFriday^  I  rode  to  Windbaoi,^  eleven  miles|. 
and  preached  in.a.sdiool-housi&  We  had  a 
very  melting,  weeping,  shouting  time.  I  was 
still  much  QUt  of  health.  In  this  place  there 
is  a  fine,  loving,  united  socidiy.  Wh^enl 
<first  preached  in  this  plac^  (two  years  be- 
fore this)  th^re  was  no  so^ety  of  Methodists 


/ 


72 


I 


•■<,p,K       .J 


there.     At  that  time  I  preached  in  the  Pres- 
byterian meeting-house.         The  stationed 
preacher  and  a  Presbyterian  inissionary  were 
present.     I  spoke  pointedly  against  absolute 
predestination.     After  I  had  finished  I  gave 
them  an  opportunity  of  defending  their  doc- 
trine.    But  they  both  refused..    However, 
the  Sabbath  following  one  of  them  undertook 
to  vindicate  his  doctrine  from  the  vile  asper* 
persions  which  (as  he  said)  bad  been  throwft 
upon  it.     But  as  it  happened,  in  attempting 
to  remove  the  odium,  he  exposed  its  features 
in  such  a  manner  that  even  his^own  people 
were  disgusted  with  the  frightful  visage.       -. 
The  preacher  finding  the  people  were  dis- 
affected with  his  doctrine,  undertook  to  mend 
up  his  old  system ;  but  in  mending  one  hole 
he  made  two ;  and  by  reason  of  his  pursuing 
hisobject,  the  eyes  of  many  were  opened  to 
see  the  absurdity  of  bis  tenets,  and  the  consist^ 
ency  of  their  opposite.  The  consequence  was^ 
about  fifty  persons  tu  a  short  time  joined  our 
sodety.     One  circumstance  1  would  notice: 
A  woman  who  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  this  place  was  cpnvi  aced  that  the 
Methodist  doctrine  was  right,  consequently  re- 


"■rk.""  ■      •  '■■•  ^  >- .'  ■' 


•^^  :i^>  -\. ,  ■  j^^  "i^?*  -^^ «''  '^"^  ■ 


-^f^f^iT^- 


73 


quested  liberty  to  withdraw  from  her  chuioh  > 
but  this  privilege  was  denied  her,  and  she  was 
cited  to  U'ial  before  the  church,  on  the  charge 
of  her  attendii^g  Methodist  meeting,  (though 
she  was  aknowledged  to  be  the  best  member 
they  had  in  their  church).  But  the  charge 
was  so  obviously  insufficient  to  excommuni- 
cate her,  that  the  business  was  suspended,  and 
she  was  straightway  charged  to  hear  the  Me- 
thodists no  more.    ' 

After  she  had  repeatedly  requested  dismis- 
sion,  and  finding  all  her  petitions  unavailing, 
w^ent  «id  jmed  the  Methodist  church;  But 
they,  still  intent  on  keeping  her,  (or  else  to 
injure  her  character,  for  I  leave  the  candid  to 
judge  whether  such  proceedings  do  not  carry 
the  appearance  of  revenge)  cited  her  -  again 
and  agsun  to  trial:  but  finding  nothing  a- 
gainst  her  moral  character,  they  finally  ex* 
pdled  her  for  breaking  covenant,  about  three 
y  ea^  a(ter^  she  had  joined  the  Methodist. 

Satmtday  31, 1  devoted  the  day  to  prayery 
meditation,  ind  reading.  I  felt  that  i  had 
much  need  of  hotiness  of  heart.  '  I  want  to 
^nk  deeper  into  Ae  sprit  of  huml^e  love.  I 
am  sensible  I  Uveiar,  very  &r  beneath  my 

G 


i 


I 


*fi 


t)1fiv96ge;    HI  wto hoKer  I  know  1  sboidd 

NSohdliy,  Aiigiist  1,  I  prefecib^  ^wk  tbe 
Smith 'iMounMn,  in  WiDdbfiDai  in^  P»et^ 
bytef iaih  itieeting-l^se.  The  people  weft 
Very  aittentiVe;  an4  soiiie  of  tb^m  liiii^li  affeet^ 
ed.  In  IHk  place  there  has  been  of  li&te'li 
cbiisideriable  ^revival  ot  reiigion  am^]%  the 
Presbyterians. 

Monday  S,  I  rode  four^e^  miles  over 
anountaihs  to  Hnntersfield  *.  preached  <'to  a 
good  Hiimberdfpec^Ie,  the  inost  <j^'them  d^ 
riotts,andsdmlB  of  them  eitrnei^tly  seeking  re- 
ligkm;  '  iTeCUrned  the  i^UFne  day,  aind tarried 
iiirith  Mr.  l*ewis6Ver  right. 

Tttdilay  S,  I  deteiritained  to  donble  mydl- 
lig^noe^  knd  seek  for  a  deeper  wd*k  of.gi^ace 
"in  nljr  sotiL  The  society  in  this  plaiOe  are 
Btefy  to*utoit€&. 

I^^ni^ay4,  Fpteached  i&a  fi^tisimeet- 
ing-hoii^  ^ to  ft  ^lai^g^  ^^)a^<%dtito.  I^fidt 
great  Hib^ljr  in  liiy'^i^&id.  '1  i^h^e^on  the 
^ttl:jeot^  piPMettinalton.  I  ilnderstoeittbe 
intMMer  ha^i^elr  od^  he^h<MiId-#MI- 

Hrb#t  flte  tHibjieet  with  meif  1 1»lt<^ittp(m 

it  in  )EAj  pr^hbg.    I  ri^dved  4iii^m%  c^al- 


I 


m 


ject  very  particukurly,  as  I  olwrved  Uie  mi- 
nister WBS  present.  Whea  i  Iu4  dm^f  I 
gjBiye  hiifn  liberty  ta  reply,  but  he  declined 
Ij^e  dispute;  o^  in  fact  only  si;ispended  it  tiU 
I  was  gone;  then,  as  I  h2.vebeen  infonned, 
be^calle4me  ahar^and  8a^l>  amoi^  other 
bard  things,  that  I  had  preached.  faUe  dop- 
liines^  I  ^jtd  tjiat  U  is  much  easier  for  the 
Adrpcat^  of  predestination  to  coi^tradict  us 
i^\p^  OUf  b^kS)  t^at  ifirhen  we  are.pres^ 
j^ay  the  Lord  forgive  t||em  all  the  evil  t^e^ 
liave  spokqn  against  me, 
r  Frona  this  plac^  I  rode  t^  brother  Dillon'^> 
^wenty^six  miles,  where  I  tarried  a  short 
t^ne.  From  thence  I  rode  to  bn)ther  Gar^ 
rettson's,  at  Rhinebeck,  twentyrtMro  miles. 
While  here  I  was  severdy  attacked  with  an 
influeaza.  Duringthetimed!  this  affliction 
I  was  persuaded  to  go  and  attend'  a  sacramen- 
:tal  occasion  in  Fougl^keepsie,  which  had  like 
to  have  caused  my  death.  But  glory  t6  Ood» 
1  C9ka  truly  say,  he  was  with;  me.  I  had 
^^t  peace  of  mind,  and  felia  sure  trust  in 
jphrist;   i  am  blessed  with  kjaid  friends  m 


m 


«.* 


■^^., 


'-•■3Bl 


PWP^P 


9m 


this  pbce:  may  the  Lord  rewnrd  them  i^ 
bun&tiUy  with  his  grace  and  love. 
'    Sattirday  15, 1  rode  sixteen  lulled. 

Sunday  IJ,  I  preached  and  adminifitered 
the  holy  sacrament  It  was  a  good  and  gra- 
cious time  to  my  soul.  The  power  and  prd- 
>ence  of  the  Lord  was  manifested.  Simie  l^ll 
'totheiloor--'some  touted  for  joy,  and  One 
soul  ^was  joyfully  converted  to  Ood.  In  ^ 
'evening  we  held  a  ptfayer-meeting.  Om 
young  woman  fell  to  (he  floor,  and  cried  ir 
loud  for  mercy.  A  wicked  persecuting  mati 
came  in  and  took  hold  of  her  with  an  intent 
tion  to  carry  her  away :  I  desireu  im  mi  to 
do  it:  he  ai^swered  with  an  oath  that  bib 
would.  I  then  told  him  possitively  that  he 
should  not ;  and  as  he  persisted  in  his  design, 
I  requested  the  man  c  the  house  to  com- 
mand peace,  upon  which  he  went  out  without 
•further trouble. r.-"^-'>  n^^---:-      ■:■:■-':: -^y-:  ;.^^*., 

Monday  17, 1  had  some  conversation  with 
a  deist,  and  found,  him  tol>e  a  poor,  simple, 
miserable  creature.  His  objections  against 
the  M0lhodists  were,  they  made  a  noise,  and 
caused  ignorant,  vulgar  people  to  fall  down. 
•I  gave  hini  to  understand^  that  if  being  igno- 


v^'')#'» 


17 

rant  and  vujlgar  was  all  that  m^e  peofrile  fall 
down,  b»  would  soon  be  in  thentunber;  at 
whkh  he.w$s  oflfended,  and  I  left  him  in  his 
delusioti.         •  .' 

.  From  Pcmgbkeeipsie  I  returned  to  Rhine- 
beck,  and  attended  the  camp-meeting  which 
}^^a  held  In  that  place.  \Ve  had  a  great  con- 
(course  of  peo|^e,  and  the  most  disorderly  I 
.f  ver  saw  on  such  an  occasion.  Many  of  tlie 
Wicken  conducted  in  the  most  scandalous 
juanner.  (reproved  ^  man  tor  swearir^g,  and 
jk^struek  Die  with  a  cliib,  which  hurt  mecon- 
«deraWy.  •   i 

?  Saturday  ^%  I  rode  twelve  miles,  and 
preached  to  a  small  number  of  pec^le.  It 
Wa:s  a  precious  time  to  my  soul;  and  I  be- 
JKeVe  some  were  awak^nedr 

Stinday^lf^  I  preached  twice  to^larg^ 
Dongregatio]),  Soia^e,  fell^to  the  floor  in  time 
ofpreaching»  and  many  w^^  bathed  in  teari. 
I^rusttbis'day  will  be  remembered  in  eterni- 
ty to  thfe  joy  of  some  souls. 

.  Monday  S4j  I  preached  in  Pleasant  Vsik- 
liey,  state  of  New-York,  to  a  small  eollection 
of  people-^tt  was  a  good  time*  The  same 
evening  we  held  a  prayer-meeting  at<ckg$iitk^ 

G  2 


} 


76 

man's  house  not  a  Methodist,  but  very  friend- 
I7 — the  Lord  was  with  us  of  a  truth. 

Tuesday  35, 1  rode  eighteen  miles  to  Ame* 
nia,  and  put  up  with  Thomas  Ingreham.  -^ 

Wednesday  36, 1  preached  in  the  meeting- 
house— ^but  few  peojple  attended.  •/ 

Thursday  Q7, 1  rode  six  miles  to  Sharon^  in 
Connecticut,  and  preached  to  afewpeople^ 
who  were  very  hard  and  senseless.  I  felt 
but  little  liberty  in  preaching'-^^as  under 
extreme  depression  of  spirit.  In  the  afteri' 
noon  I  pi^eacbed  in  a  school-house  in  Amenia, 
to  a  large  congregation  of  people,  andil  wa« 
a  powerful,  melting,  rejoicing  time.  I  hope) 
that  it  was  not  altogether  in  vain.  r 

Friday  38, 1  rode  five  miles,  and  preached 
in  North-East  towntoa  large  congregation* 
I  felt  spme  trials  of  mind,  and  but  little  liber- 
ty in  pre'^xhing.  I  fear  but  little  good  was 
done. 

Sunday  30,  I  rode  thirteen  miles,  and 
l^eached  at  ten  o'clock  in  a  school-house  in 
Salisbury,  to  many  more  people  than  could 
g^  iHlkihe  house.  The  Lord  manifested  bis 
presence  here— ^some  were  much  aSiected^ 
vdll  trust  that  8(»ne  good  was  dfooft        .  j- 


^p 


79 

At  three  o'clock  I  preached  ia  a  grove  of 
wooiis,  to  a  numerous  assembly  of  people  of 
various  descriptions. '  Some  of  them  were 
rude  and  disorderly.  I  found  but  little  liberty 
id  speakitig,  and  great  depression  of  spirit;  It 
vrason  thewhoteatimeof  trials  and  distress 
tomy  soul,  and  I  Apprehend  but  little  good 
was  done.  ^  The'same  evening  I  preached  to 
alargecongregationof  people  in  the  town  of 
Amenia.  Brother  Dillon  exhorted.  Th* 
mighty  power  of  God  was  displayed — saints 
rej<»ced,  and  sinners  wept  aloud.  Some  were 
slkinto.the  floor,  and  lay  for  hours  in  a  help- 
less condition.  A  more  powerflil  and  rejoic- 
ing tinie  I  have  scarcely  ever  known.  '  Our 
meeting  continued  till  nearly  twdve  o'clock 
atnight. 

Monday  I  rode  thirty-two  miles,  and  ptit 
up  at  a  tavern  atnight. 

S^temberi,  I  rode  about  forty  miles  to 
WiKon,  Gonnfecticut.  Here  I  preached  once 
or  twice.  From  that  I  rode  ten  miles  to  Nor- 
walk.  Here  my  horse  died.  Br<)iilier  Day 
carried  me  to  Reading  to  qf£irterly«-$||^ing^; 
fifom-  tliat  r  w^t  to  Wilton.  My  brotlier-iiii- 
hw  carried  m«  tot  camp-m^etiilg  to  hCoUwv 


80 

fearrack ;  fi'oiri  that  I  went  to  Tarrytowa, 
>ii<l  prevohed  oBoe  in  tlie  meeting-hoosei 
•From  fh&ct  I  rodo  t^the  Whit^lajus,  whaH( 
I  preached  once,  and  bought  4h^  a  horse^ 
I  then  rod;eto  New-Yx)rk,  spent  three  cmt  foiaf 
days  there,  and  returned  to  'Nor walk  for 
^/saddi^and  bridle.  Fr^  %hsA  I  went  t^ 
r^iltcA,  and  prt»ich<9d  twica  Th^Iast  time 
jtwo  souls  w^e  ccxivertedr  At  present  | 
am  wading  tbrougbde^  waters..  Qh!  thai 
&i»i  may  k^  my  k^  I^Jbpy^  tbe  wi^ves.;  ,^ 
>  *',  Satui^ay  f^,  l^rea^ed  ii|/th^^v^o^  ii 
jAi^  edge  of  iii^fiei4  to  a  small  cofi^ai^y  «rf 
jittentiye  pccqple.  f 

^  Sunday,  Q%  l  preached  in  Heading  townr 
jbtouse,  and  at^rother  HilPs  in  the  evening. 
The  Lord  is  at  work  in  this  place  ainong  th^ 
peopl8,^nd  Satan  is  at  work  also  in  stirring 
up  the  spirit  of  persecutioL.  . 

i  Monday^  2t8, 1  preached  in  Reading  in  the 
^ternppn,  find  in  Betl],el  in  the  evening.  I' 
Mt  great  liberty  in  both  these  places^  but 
iBspeciiaUy  19  thejeveolng.  Many  of  thepe^ 
;|>le;)S|iiavMv«^y  WecenUy,  and  one  man 
.|e3d  tale  that  lthat^  I  Said  was  b  d--d  lie;  mi 
418^^  utidertoc^  to  justify'  W  Associate  Jfi^ 


mmff'^r* 


91 


whtit  be  said :  thejr  were  boih  (Nrbfessed  tfai^ 
v^ealiits.*  X  do  expect  tbat  tbisy  f<^t  tbem'' 
se!ve8  considerabJy  crossed  in  'their  minds. 
Bui  I  do  believeibat  some  considerable  good 
was  done.    -  '  ^^ 

Tuesday  2S,  From  a  sense  of  duty  1  re- 
turned to  Reading.  Here  I  found  tbat  some 
&vil-dispd0ed  people  had  be^  circulating 
sordefalse  reports  respecting  my  preacfaiiig, 
4nd  had  strove  to  j>r«^Udice  my  friends  a- 
|;ainsline.  I  finAtii^tHis  always  the  case 
diat  the  aiemiea  of  religion  persecute  the 
hardest  when  God  revives  his  woiitatany 
timeor  plac^  and  souls  cry  for  mercy.  This 
Wad  thecase  here.  Sconefew  sbuis  had  been 
aw&kenedy  and  ill  consequence  of  that,  every 
devise  was  used  by  our  enemies  to  defiroy 
the  work,  and  to  turn  back  the  serious  i^^eek- 
ing  souls. 

Wednesday,  I  rode  to  Wasiiington. 
.    October  1 . 1  preached  twG  or  three  tiniies  in 
Brookfield,  and  once  in  Washington    this 
week.  '   ; 

Sunday  4,  I  preached  twice  in  Mount 
Tom,  and  once  in  Litchfield.  They  were 
good  refreshing  seasons?      ..'.■.  . 


I 
I 


fi 


II  ■'. 


i 


r' 


■^- 


.  Mdkidaj^Mid  Tues^ary  I  preached  in:  d^ 
Jben.  ArQtheirs  Hunt  and  Clfrk  lajboure^ 
tiere,  and  I  b^eve  tk^  tbey  bad  geod  9W^ 
pess.  From  Gosheo  I  went  to  ,  Sbiaroi^  and 
attended  a  quarterly^meeting. .  At  jttus  meet- 
log  fhe  mighty  power  of  God  was  ^splayed 
r-many  wereslain  to tbe  ground,  ;  I  preacb- 
€d  in  tbe  time  of  love-feast  in  a  waggon  in  the 
strfeet.  From  quarterly-meeting  I  returned 
to  Wilton.  In  tbis  tour  I  rode  about  pa^ 
bandred  and  fifty  mUesi^nd  preached  seven^ 
4een  times. 

FroQi  WUton  I  went  to  Albany  i  from 
:tbence  to  Old  Hartford,  in  Cimnecticut  i 
Irom  thence  to  Middletown  and  New-Havsn, 
^nd  from  thence  to  Wilton.  In  this  tour  I 
travelled  three  hundred  uriles  wttbin  tbree 
weeks,  and  preached  almost  every  day,  I 
think  that  I  feel  much  more  engaged  with 
God  at  preselat,  than  I  hate  been  for  spme 
ithiie' past. 

After  this  toW,  fpr  some  weeks  I  did  not 
keep:any  journal,  owing  to  some  singular 
.circuifislances,  wbicb^it  is  not  necessary  to 
^entiiHi  in  this  pla^.    ' 

May  6,  1808,  our   ccmfereuce  begatn  in 


^^^^mimmmm^sBsamB 


"". '-"W 


m 


Ihe  preachers  m^genefcal.^  From  ihb  coiir 
ference  I  rec^ved  wj  apjpoiiiUticait  to  iravd 
^on  Schenectady  oircuit; 

From  Amenia  I  went  to  Nfw-York,  and 
after  staying  there  a  few  days,  I  rode  to  Ah- 
bany.    It  was  about  tjie  8th  or  9tb  rf  June 
that  I  took  my  circuit.    I  -travellied  ou  thi^ 
circuit  about  three  months,  when  I  we^s  atr 
tacked  most  violently  with  the  ncrvoue  feve?, 
which  lasted  me  upwards  of  three:  mopth^^ 
and  finally  left  nie  in  a  verjr  debiltjgLt^  ^tc^t^, 
from  which  I  have  never  recovered.    £)qring 
the  time  that  I  was  confined  with  the  nerv^ 
jous  fever,  I  suffered  for  upwards  off  ix  w^lijs 
-with  gr€at  inward  trials  ;  and  the  lastipart of 
the  time,  ^we  suffered  greatly  in  our  outwalcd 
cireiuastaaces.    \¥e  were  ^t  length  di^iyi^ 
tai||64iccessity  of  breaking  up  heus0dtee|p* 
iag :  li  put  mj<  wife  And  child  out  to  board. 
The  winter  wa»  extremely  cddd,  and  J  was 
very  ^feeble  ^  nevertheless,  I.  was  neo^ita** 
-ted  to.  travel  to  New-^York;  and  Gouaectkut, 
.and 4^11  ta  Albany^;  ^d  ift^w^ds  c^- 
, '  tiuHed  Toving  .about  &t  four  mpnth?^^  r  wi^- 
'  •  out  bpise  or^lsome.    None  bPt  CM  i^A(>ws 


iiiiiiiiiii 


HHg^^ 


wtit  triala  these Jthing$. caused  me  .and  I 
have  every  reason  to  believe  that  my  ex- 
treme trials  ^<^  mind  were  a  great  cause  of 
mcreasing  my  debility.  Nevertheless^  God 
was  with  me  in  all  my.suifiscings :.  excep^ng 
about  six  weeks  in  the  begipQing  of  my^s^r 
jlictions,  I  enjoyed  great  copfidenqe  in  Go^. 
puring  that  period,  I  experienced  the  greatr 
est  trial  in  my  mind  that  I  recollect  of  .ey^ 
feeling  in  my  life.  I  could  not  feel  that  rio^ 
sigiiation,to  the  will  of  God  that  I  ought  Ao 
fed :  I  thought  it  an  extreme  hard  and  difB- 
cult  cross  to  give  up  travelling.  God  had 
blessed  me  much  in  that  way,  and  I  alway;s 
feilt  d^ernnned  to  die  in  the  iield. :  My  mind 
was  greatly  barrassed  with  trialsi  and  temptar 
tions  that  I  never  experienced  before.  Bui^ 
cfter  passing  a  strict  and  impartial  examijoar 
tion  dmy  own  heart,  I  felt  but  one  thing  that 
I  thought  the  Lord  would  disapprove,  in  me* 
^At  this  time  I  could  h&ve  no  inducement  to 
deceive  my  own  9oul,  for  my  physician  ha4 
g^yen  me  ovar  to  die-^all  hopes  of  living  weiie  * 
g^ven  up.)  I  felt  no  doubts  respecting 
^^  trutb  of  the  doctrines  I  had  preac]|e4 ; 
nor  in  respect  to  our  plan  of  travdbng,  ad  » 


1IWP 


« 


gdnenJ  plain;  but  my  conviction  was  tktt  i 
Ought  to  have  travelled  at  large,  without  con^ 
finiiig  myself  to  any  one  circuit.  I  had  often 
mentioned  niy  exercides  to  my  brethren,  but 
Ae  most  of  them  discouraged  me  froni  pra^ 
eeeding  in  that  way.  I  also  had  reasoned 
with  myself  thus:  God  has  blessed  me  m 
die  way  that  I  am  now  in :  this  plau  I  have 
tried,  and  proved  it  to  be  a  good  and  safe  way ; 
my  brethren  are  also  blessed  in  travelling 
regular  circuits,  and  they  have  no  such  exer** 
dis^  about  travelling  at  large  as  I  have,  and  I 
ought  to  respect  their  judgment.  And  again, 
if  i  should  proceed,  and  travel  at  large  others 
^uld  probably  be  induced  to  travel  in  the 
same  manner :  and  I  might  injure  the  travel- 
Kng  connexion*  And  furthermore,  there  are  so 
many  impostors  in  the  world,  who  are  travel*^ 
ling  from  plaice  to  place,  I  should  subject  my-^ 
self  to  the  suspidons  and  censures  of  all  who 
were  not  acquainted  with  me.  These  consi-* 
derations,  together  with  many  others  of  less 
moment,  deterred  me  from  the  undertaking. 
But  th*s  thiiig  exercised  my  mkid  very  se^ 
verely  in  my  sickness,  particularly  in  the 
IB   i  part  of  it.    I  could  obtain  no  comfort  to 

H 


'if 


my  soul.  Whenever  I  prayed  thit  oAumoii 
of  duty  presented  itself  to  my  view,  anAllidt 
conscious  that!  I  had  omitted  my  duty  Jatijbis 
respect  I  tiiougfat  that  I  should  certainly 
die.  These  exercises  continued,  as  I  observ- 
ed|  six  weeks.  When  I  lay  on  my  1  bed  one 
night,  labouring  under  the  deepest  distress  ittf 
soul,  I  came  to  a  resolution  to  go  wherever 
God  should  direct  me  in  bis  providence  at  by 
his!  Spirit,  if  he  would  spare  my  life,  and 
restore  me  to  health  again.  Immediately 
I  fi^t  the  gldom  and  deep  distress  that  had 
for  six  weeks  pervaded  my  mind  reuKH 
ved.  The  Lord  poured  forUi  on  my  soul 
such  a  flood  of  light  and  love,  and  peace  and 
jdy,  as  I  scarcely  ever  experienced  in  my  life* 
Now  all  was  tranquil,  placid,  and  heaven* 
like.  No  one  can  tell  the  J0y  J  then  felt.  My 
fever  immediately  left  me  in  a  great  mear 
sure;  and  contrary  to  the  expec^tions  of  all 
my  friends,  I  began  to  recov^. 

Some  people^  unacquainted  with  any  ex- 
traordiimry  communicatioas  from  ^e  Spii^ 
of  God,  may  mark  this  as  enthusiasm ;  and  so 
Ihey  may  acQount  all  ^jb  joyful,  happ^i^ 
influences  of  theSj^rit  that  the  christian  fed4 


^^m 


tiitlil  aiitttttfmiil  6f  faiiaticism 
sMui^i%  11^  tliift  exerciste  wad  caused  by 
tlmBf^t^^  GH  ns:  I  know  that  God,  for 
dbtetlB  €k^-  Itas  Ibrgiven  all  my  «ins. 
; '  BtlttoBiy  tfaamel  must  acknowledge  that 
f  wa9  disc^edi^nt  to  the  divine  admonitions  oC 
the  Spirit;  The  cross  ajqpeared  to  me  insup- 
j^tiWe.  My  nature  re^'ciled  at  the  idea  of 
•<jfasting  t[iy  family  upon  the  charity  of  the 
^werld^  beiilg  myself  wiihont  any  means  of 
djiifi^rt^  btit  sacb  a$  Id^ived  in  the  ordinary 
way  of  travelling  preachers;  and  if  I  obeyed 
4hes0  moi^ti(Hi3  of  the  divine  Spirit,  I  must 
^ye'txp.aU  claim  ta  this  smaill  annuity,  and 
^s6  forfeit  my  standing  as  a  r^giilar  traveUing 
l^encher.  Gf  c^our^^  thete  were  but  two  alter- 
.nalives  left  for  ngie  to  choose— either  to  leave 
the  connexion,  or  locate.  To  leave  tlie  con- 
nexion I  could  -not  consent  to,  if  I  could  sa^ve 
my  soul  without  it ;  for  I  am  conscious  that  I 
awe  my  all  to  the  Methodists,  under  God ; 
and  ever  since  I  knew  them,  I  have  been  per- 
ji|a4ed  that  they  are  th6  people  ci  God, 
Th^y  were  inistrumental  in  thij  hand  of  God 
4f  my  cpnversi^,  and  have  been  i^  a  nursii^ 
mother  to  me.  And  I  do  think  that  it  savors 
t9^  much  of  ingratitude  for  a  preacher,  to 


<  >a 


i,ii  v.muim 


^ 


leav  J  tlie  Methodist  when  he  has  been  raised 
tip  from  a  prii^te  man  to  ati  official  station  in 
ihe  chnrch^ — ^then from  the  bareconsidCfratioti 
of  pecuniary  gain  to  forsake  them,  and  join 
others  whose  doctrines  are  contraiy  to  his  real 
belief,  is  a  crime  in  my  view  almost  unpaN 
dcAiable.  fhen  I  can  truly  say  that  rto 
worldly  consideration  whatever  had  my  in(fli|(- 
ence  on  my  mind,  except  so  much  as  ibl  com* 
petent  support  for  my  Jhmily.  In  thissltutf- 
tibn  my  mind  has  been  fear  i^ve  years.  I  a?*- 
dently  desire  to  do  my  duty :  but  at  j^resent 
my  mind  is  suspended  between  duty  and  no- 
nessity.  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  locair 
ing  on  account  of  my  health.  Ihaveth<e 
same  exercises  as  I  had  five  years  ago,  with 
respect  to  travelling  at  large.  I  think  that 
Cod  afQicts  me  on  account  c^f  my  disobedi- 
ence: — arid  I  have  neglected  my  duty  so  long 
that  I  am  now  in  such  circumstances,  on  ac- 
count of  my  health  and  family,  that  it  is  next 
to  impossible  forme  to  do  as  I  felt  impre^ 
that  I  ought  to  do:  yet  the  obligation  r€h 
mains.  I  love  the  Methodist  cause,  for  I  be- 
lieve it  to  be  the  cause  of  God,  and  the  peo^ 
fte  to  be  God's  people.  But  to  return. 
During  the  winter  I  returned  to  Scbenec^^ 


6i 


ptady,  ia  o?der  to  take  o^y  circuit  Although  I 
had  uoi  hei4^  sufficient  £Qr4be  labours,  of  a 
circuity  yet  on  accouni  of  my  necessitous 
circunutaQces^I  thoughtitmy  duty  to  travel 
U' possible:  but  when  I  got  there>  I  foiind 
that  the  ckcuit  was  supplied  with  preachers ; 
ml  my  presidiqg  elder  informed  me  that  I 
could  have  no  circuit,  unless  he  sent  one  of 
the  preachers  home.  But  I  told  him  thai  I 
^ouH-i^^tber  be  without  any  appointment 
'pyscSf^  than  he  should  do  so.  In  conse- 
quence of  this,  I  bad  no  circuit  till  canfer-- 
ence  ^  and  therefore  I  travelled  to  the  westi^ 
.Ward  "Some  considerable  distasace^  and  thea 
returned  tb.Connecticut$  from  wh^ce  I  rode 
tfi^  New*-Yorkv  and  attended  conference.— 
il|rom  this  conference  I  received  my  stati<»i 
c^  N^wburgh  circuit.  At  the  time  I  receiv« 
etl  my  'i^ointment,  my  family  waa  in  Con- 
necticut, my  furniture  was  in  Troy,  and  my 
l^orse  in  Coe^mans.  After  I  bad  collated  all 
.^etber  on  my  circuit,  I  could  gel  no  con- 
^yenient  hi>U0e  finr  my  family  to  liv^  in.  I 
l^d:tp  storemy  Avniture  twice,  which  pro* 
ved  a  gprdftt  triial  to  ]pe<:  as  no  one  aaeiated 
ine  in  providing  a  place.for  my  family,  I  nat? 


.  i- 


mm 


m^m 


w 


lifally  oonclttded  thej  did  liot  cordially  re- 
eeive  me.  After  8ome  ttme,  a  man  who  was 
not  a  methodist,  provided  a  place  for  me^ 
MrherelJived  during  Ibe  summer;  but  there 
being  few  of  our  society  any  where  near,  we 
found  it  extremely  inconvei^ient  on  account 
of  rect^iving  any  assistancQ  for  the  necessai^ 
ries  of  iife»  we  moved  in  the  fall  into  Newr 
burgh:  Here  I  found  a  trial  of  quite  a  dif- 
ferent nature  r  soon  after  I  moved  intb  the 
.place,  tlie  society  got  into  difficulty ;  one  of 
the  leaders  refused  to  subnoit  to  the  order  of 
discipline,  withdrew  himself  from  our  meet- 
ings, and  set  up  one  of  bis  own,  in  cqppoation 
to  the  regular  stated  meetings  df  the  soci^y. 
We  laboured,  to  convince  him  and  his  party 
K)f  the  impropriety  of  their  conduct ;  but  our 
.labours  availed  nothing— they  continued  in- 
flexible. I  c<m8ulted  with  most  of  the  official 
members  on  the  circuity  and  with  their  unani- 
mous advice,  1  expelled  them  from  society. 
J  advised  them  to  appeal  to  quarterly  meeting 
conference,  but  they  positively  refused^  I 
told  tii^fniftbar  cause  wiu(  a  just  one,  they 
jC(EaiUi;4Mtbe  afraid  to  submit  it  to  the  investi^ 
^ti<»i.oi^  conference ;  but  for.reasona  that 
jnif^i  be  explained/ ttey  woul4  not  appeal 


PHI 


mtmrn 


V. 


n 

The  next  yeir  they  were  irestored  to  all 
the  privileges  of  society^  without  making  any 
BatisiEietibii  for  their  former  opposition  to  or^ 
dei^ and  discipline:  but  I  forbear  making  any 
further  remarks. 

V  After  this  unhappy  division*  took  place, 
tMir  society  was  much  reduced  in  numbers  { 
hut,  I  think,  not  in  union  and  prosperity. 
<  This  year  we  formed  some  new  societies, 
and  had  considerable  additions  to  the  societies 
iin  the  circuit  I  can  but  pay  a  small  tribute 
'of  respect  and  gratitude  to  my  kind  and  be- 
nevolent friends  oti  this  circuit ;  particularly 
brother  P- — ^,  who  assisted  us  very  much  in 

our  distress,  aad  my  old  friend  Mr.  C : 

Mr.  Ferris,  at  New  Paltz,  shewed  me  partio- 
i>lar  kindness :  many  in  the  town  of  New^ 
burgh  treated  me  and  my  family  with  great 
friendship:  I  think  -^e  were  never  blessed 
with  morp  generous  friejids. 
.  I  left  my  circuit  the  last  of  April,  and  went 
Co  Connecticut ;  from  there  I  rode  to  Pitts^ 
field,  snd  attended  the  annual  conference;  at 
which  I  was  appointed  to  Granville  circuit. 
My,  wife  and  two.  children  w^rein  Connect* 
•  icut;  my  furalu^re  and  one  child  (a  twin> 
ibreet  mcmthi  »)  I)  Twere  m  NetfimtgU:  to 


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tiejrtBlcenpbntlMimselv^  whiih  ibe^  xiaiiii^ 
the  name  of  Christ,  we  sbouHl  not  see  so 
iduc2^  stttpidit  jv  sd  mneh  pi!o&m^  amoiig 
tliem  as  we  how  0See.  How  little  4o  we  ia 
general  prize  otir  privileges,  and  what  smaU; 
considerations  \liill  induce  many  to  change 
Hieirreliji^n,  or  abandon  it  entirely.  Ms^ 
the  l^d  have  mercy  oii  lis. 

Our  quarteiiy-raeeting  Was  h^d  in  JBetfe* 
lehem,  Massachusetts.  Brother  R  ^reiii;h^ 
&i  on  Suui^day  i  irery^  ieeling,  p-^thetic  did?; 
course.  On  the  Sabbatli^  af  our  loVi&-fd3s% 
sbm^  of  the  children  of  Belial  broke  down  tUi 
dodr  and  catne  in^  and  niade  a  great  disturb 
aasiceiii:  our  ibeeti^g.  ^er  Idve-feast  I  jpteax^^ 
c^l  Ifelt  mucli  ofth<3  divine  assistance sasiili 
was^hapqpy.  iClie  j^ple  were  solemn  ami 
tender^  and  I  teli^  eioi^e  good  wall  dime. 

i^omqtuprter^rmeeting  I  wenttd  Lenoz^ 
Ifiad^^jn  appointmenf  in  the  cocir^hpuse. 
Brother  H^^«^  met  me  Itere^  and  preatih^ 


i  Fhmi  Eemix  I  weiit^tQrreat»'  Baitioftcinj^ 
W^ptti'^  w^  i^wyeili^^  1  bad^w 
iqpp^iis|m^iii^  lodg»4[o{ti^^ 

ji^fdelHtteiidtt^  idil^^hiUuirjr  had^ 
i^  ffW^4»l|n^Bo6ce,    I  pr8M$hedi>«--dM 


^^^ 


^^^W^^ST  "•  ■■  •     ■'    H 


«fj      iimji'r^'mmmw 


9? 


Jl 


U|i4er8landing  that  the  Presbyterian  minister 
had  given  out  that  he  intended  to  dispute  th^ 
first  Methodist  minister  that  preached  in  the 
place,  I  informed  the  people  that  if  there  wer§ 
any  present  who  did  not  believe  my  doctrine, 
and  felt  disposed  to  controvert  it,  I  hoped  that 
they  would  do  it  now,  or  else  for  ever  after 
hold  their  peace.  A  gentleman  in  the  congre- 
gallon  rose  up,  and  said,  I  suppose,  sir,  you 
meai^me.  I  replied  that  I  did  know  who  be 
was.  It  was  signified  to  me  that  he  was  their 
minister.  I  then  observed  that  if  he  or  any 
other  gentleman  present  had  any  objections 
to  the  doctrine  which  I  had  advanced,  I  hoped 
tbat  they  would  make  them  when  I  was  pre- 
Bent,  in  order  to  convince  meof  my  errors,  or 
give  me  an  opportunity  of  vindicating  what  I 
conceived  to  be  right  and  true  doctrine.  He 
observed  that  it  would  not  be  polite  for  iiim 
ii>  ent^into  a  dispute  with  me  before  all  the 
j^ec^le.  I  told  him,  if  he  ever  intended  to 
make  any  objections  to  what  1  had  advanced^ 
I  thought  that  he  ought  to  make  them  now. 
He  said  that  he  did  not  know  that  he  should 
make  any  objection  to  what  I  had  advanced^, 
jis  he  believed  the  principal  part  of  the  doo- 
t^ne  :  he  choose  to  decline  any  conltroversy 


M 


mmif 


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mmm 


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\, 


on  the    present  occasion;   and  after  some 
more  desultory  conversation  we  parted. 

;  I  went  from  Great  Barrington  to  Hillsdale, 
to  Mr.  Foster's,  and  preached  in  the  evening 
and  had  a  good  time.  Here  brother  Arnold 
met  me,  and  the  next  day  went  with  me  to 
Amenia.  Here  we  met  brother  Hunt.  ) 
preached  in  the  evening,  and  felt  w^lL  Here 
has  been  a  revival  of  religion  of  late — ^the 
people  are  lively  and  affectionate.  We  put 
lip  with  brother  Ingraham,  a  polite  religiou^ 
family. 

From  this  place  we  went  together  to  quar- 
terly meeting  at  Swago.  It  rained  incessent- 
ly  all  the  time  that  \<re  were  going,  and  on 
Saturday;  notwithstanding  which  a  large 
numba:  of  people  collected,  and  we  had  al 
glorious  and  refreshing  time  throughout  the 
whole  meeting.  Some  cried  aloud  for  mercy 
oia  the  Sabbath,  and  others  were  frightened, 
and  strove  to  get  out  of  thd '  house,  but  could 
not  for  the  throng  of  people. 

On  Monday  evening  I  preached  at  brother 
Jackson's.  I  had  a  good  time-^many  souls 
appeared  to  be  much  refreshed. 

From  Swr>go  I  went  to  Poughkeepsie,  and 
preached  on  Wednesday  and  Thursd3y  even- 


IPP 


wtm 


i    ■  'T- 


^Km 


ings.  The  last  evening  1  preached  on  the 
subject  of  predestination.  Some  said  that  I 
brought  new  things  to  their  ears,  and  wished 
to  hear  more  on  the  subject. 
,  Friday  I  crossed  the  river,  and  preached  in 
the  evening  at  a  school-house  in  New-Pall:?. 

^     Saturday  I  recrossed  the  river  and  rode  to 

Fishkiil. 

,    Sundays  at  eleven  o'clock,  I  preached  at 

Fishkill  landing,  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the 

Dutch  Reformed  meeting-house.     The  minr 

ister,  Mr.  W k,  was  very  sociable  and 

friendly,  and  void  of  prejudice.  He  in- 
vited me  to  stay  with  him  over  night ;  but  as 
I  was  previously  engaged  I  declined  his  invi- 
llatioii.  Four  years  ago  I  trKxl  to  get  a  house 
in  this  town  to  preach  in,  but  could  not,  and 
was  obliged  lo  preach  in  the  sti'eet;  but  now  the 
scene  is  altered ;  prejudice  seems  to  bodying ; 
many  are  enquiring  after  the  truth :  thus  we 
see  much  prayer,  zealous  preaching,  weep- 
ing, labouring,  suffering,  arid  dying,  all  work 
for  our  good  and  the  good  of  others. 

Monday,  I  preached  at  11  o'clock  in  the 
Methodist  meeting-house  in  the  Highlands. 
i  was  very  unwell,  having  taken  a  severe  cold 
hy  riding  in  the  rain  the  preceding  day  aft^ 
preaching.  . 


1 


I 


•"i^ 


i'*v'<-;- 


mmm^^^n"!' 


■'0 


■"i»  1 1 


100 


The  next  day  I  rode  to  the  Collarbarrick> 
and  put  up  with  brother  Anderson.  How 
manifold  are  the  mercies  of  God!  How  many 
dangers  he  carries  me  through,  and  supports 
me  under  all  my  trials  and  temptations.  He 
will  never  leave  me  nor  forsake  me;  nor 
withhold  any  good  thing  from  me  if  I  walk 
uprightly.  And  even  the  chastisements  of 
the  Lord  are  mercies  in  disguise ;  and  when 
rightly  received,  will  work  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  Some- 
times, during  the  past  winter,  when  I  have 
been  riding,  and  suffering  hunger  and  cold, 
and  was  sensible  at  the  sanre  time  that  my  fa- 
mily were  suffering  with  cold,  in  an  old  shat- 
tered house,  my  heart  has  sunk  within  me, 
but  tears  have  come  to  my  relief,  fiuttheu 
at  other  times  I  have  felt  such  an  assurance  of 
God*s  favour,  and  such  a  confidence  ii  his  di- 
vine goodness,  that  I  am  persuaded  that  all 
these  things  will  ultimately  work  together 
for  my  eternal  good,  and  the  everlasting  feli- 
city of  others. 

FromCollarbarricklrode.to  Wiltcm,  in 
Connecticut^  Here  I  continued  three  or  four 
weeks,  and  laboured  with  my  hands  every 
day,  and  preached  almost  every  night.    But 


'.  ^^^' 


*at?^-;-. 


■y^— p— i— ^Mwiin  II    I         -■--.^. 


.     101 


.10 


1 


r  found  that  my  excessive  labdurd  were  too 
much  for  my  constitution  to  bear. 

I  left  home  the  first  of  May,  and  rode  to 
Hidgiield,  where  I  met  brother  Russel.  I 
stayed  with  him  until  the  next  day.  I 
preached  in  the  evening  of  the  9th  at  brother 

C 's  to  a  few  people ;  but  it  was  a  good 

and  and  gracious  time.  Here  I  found  soipe 
precious  souls  groaning  for  full  redemption. 
God  is  wit?i  them  of  a  truth :  they  love  the 
power  of  religion.  From  tMs  I  rode  to  Bed- 
ftrd,  and  put  up  with  brother  G.  Lyon,  who 
treated  me  with  the  greatest  kindness. 

Sunday,  Tith,  I  preached  in  the  meeting- 
house. A  number  of  preachers  were  present. 
After  preaching  in  the  morning  we  had  the  | 

Lord's  Supper  admi j  mistered.  Brother  Jona- 
than Lyon  preached  in  the  afternoon,  and  I 
preached  again  in  the  evening.  This  was  a 
gracious  season  to  many  souls.  I  have  rea- 
son to  believe  that  this  day 'a  opportunities 
will  be  long  remembered.  • 

The  next  day  I  preached  in  North-Castle 
meeting-house.  It  was  a  good  season,  tho' 
many  appeared  to  be  lifeless. 

From  North-Castle  I  rode  to  New-York, 
in  order  to  attend  the  Annual  conferei^ce. 


103 


i 


I  i 


Our  conforence  continued  eight  days.  We 
had  great  union  among  the  preachcrfl.  I 
received  mj  station  this  year  on  Chatham 
circuit ;  I  fvad  consequently  to  move  my  fami- 
ly upwards  of  one  hundred  miles.  I  went 
from  eonfc'rence  to  Connecticut ;  and  after 
staying  a  few  days  at  home  I  set  out  for  my 
circuit,  and  reached  it  about  the  8tb  of  June* 

Sunday  9,  1  preached  in  Hudson  twice, 
and  met  class ;  the  society  appear  to  be  very 
low  in  religion.  "^ 

Monday  I  rode  to  Kenderhook.  From 
Ke^derhook  I  rode  to  Chatham :  here  I  met 
my  colleague,  brother  Matthias;  we  found 
that  we  had  no  appointments  given  out- 
Brother  Matthias  went  to  Hillsdale,  and  I 
wi^nt  to  Sand  Lake.  I  preached  Thursday 
evening  at  brother  B  's  to  a  small  num-^ 
ber  of  lively  people,  and  found  it  a  good  and 
refreshing  season  ta  my  own  sottl. 

Friday  I  attended  a  funernl  with  a  Pres- 
byterian minister.  He  read  a  dull,  lifeless 
discourse  to  the  people,  on  the  subject  of 
th^  impossibility  of  falling  from  grace;  and 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  it  was  cordially  re- 
ceived by  all  the  lukewarm  and  backsliden 
souls  present.  What  good  ieodeocy  such 
preacaii^  can  l^ve,  on  saints  or  sinners  of 


^;-^:^r'^ 


m 


m 


^ 


^mm 


109 


of 


any  and  every  description,  13  past  my  power 
to  conceive.  I  exhorted  at  the  grave,  but  to 
h'ttle  purpose,  I  fear. 

Sunday  I6,  at  10  o'clock,  I  preached  to  a 
small  congregation.  In  the  afternoon  I 
preached  in  a  school  room,  at  China  Hill,  to 
a  large  congregation.  Some  cried  aloud  for 
mercy,  others  clapped  their  hands  and  shout- 
ed for  joy,  and  the  most  of  the  congregation 
appeared  affected.  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  good  js^as  done. 

I,  have  been  on  this  circuit  nearly  two 

weeks ;  I  can  get  no  place  for  my  family  as  yet. 
None  but  God,  and  the  preachers,  know  what 
trials  it  causes  us,  to  find  so  much  difficulty 
in  getting  a  place  for  our  families  every  year : 
after  nioving  upwards  of  a  hundred,  and 
sometimes  two  liundred  miles  a  year,  (as  I 
have  done  for  five  years  successively)  we 
have  to  look  for  a  place  for  our  families  ;  and 
being  among  strangers,  it  causes  us  trials  of 
the  most  severe  kind.  Many,  I  do  believe, 
have  been  induced  to  locate  on  this  ground. 
It  is  possible  that  this  thing  will,  in  some  fe- 
ture  day,  operate  very  much  against  the  tra- 
velling plan.  If  every  circuit  had  a  house  oa 
iifor  the  preachers,  it  would  save  the  preach- 


> 

•  r 


3 
I 

■I 
I 

i 
I'. 

'\ 

■  \ 

I1 


I 

4 


■■>,■'' 


hi 

t  i 

I 

I 


mi 


104 


€FBin  America  seven  thousand  dollars  a  year; 
besides  a  great  many  trials  of  mind,  and  £s^ 
tigues  of  body. 

About  two  weeks  after  this  I  obtained  a 
house  for  my  family.  I  then  hired  a  singe 
waggon  and  brought  my  family  on  the  dr- 
cuit.  But  it  was  four  weeks  before  I  could 
g(*t  my  furniture  brought  on  the  circuit  And 
when  I  got  my  family  settled,  the  year  was 
almost  half  gone.  (I  stayed  but  seven 
months  here  before  I  had  to  move  directly 
back  again  one  ht^ndted  miles.)  But  after  I 
had  got  settled  my  mind  was  eased  of  a  great 
fotirden,  and  I  laboured  with  much  greater 
couriige  and  success,  imake  these  remarks 
that  our  friends  may  know  iiow  much  their 
preachers  suffer  for  their  good.  I  have  no  in- 
terest in  it  now,  any  farther  than  I  feel  inte- 
rested in  the  welfare  of  my  brethren,  as  I  ne- 
ver expect  to  travelon a. circuit  again,  unless 
I  recover  my  health.  J  wish  that  our  friends 
in  general  would  take  the  subject  into  serious 
coi^ia^ration,  and  make  the  care  of  the 
pteacher^ ;  their  own,  and  if  possible  afford 
them  assistance  in  the  particular  case  above 
menUoiied. 

T^re  haft  been  a  great  revival  of  religiim 
in  the  society  at  China  HUl:  upwairde  of 


'H*----  --^•*- 


106 


twenty  have  joined  society,  and  there  ia  4 
prospect  of  many  nlore  joining.  SomefeW 
have  got  religion  in  other  societies,  and  there 
is  a  prospect  of  much  good  on  the  circuit  at 
large.  Our  first  quarterly-meeting  com- 
menced the  I  lib  of  August,  in  Chatham.  On 
Saturday  we  fiait  a  good  and  gracious  time.  I 
read  the  rules  of  our  societies,  and  particular- 
ly the  rules  on  dress,  and  informed  our  mem- 
bers that  we  were  determifned  to  enforce  all 
our  rules  on  our  soetoties,  and  we  hoped  tha^t 
all  our  official  members  would  conciir  with 
US'  in  thi*^  work,  and  every  other  member 
who  felt  zealous  for  the  cause  of  God,  would 
join  with  us  in  this  important  work :  and  we 
informed  them,  that  all  who  wouM  not  am- 
furm  to  the  rules  concerning  dress,  could 
riot  be  admitted  into  love-feast.  Our  official 
inembiers  promised  us  all  the  assistance  in 
their  power ;  and  I  can  truly  say,  that  I  nev- 
er received  the  aid  of  the  official  characters 
on  any  circuit  more  generally  than  I  did  on 
Chatham  circuit ;  and  the  Consequence  was, 
that  we  had  a  gteat  revival  of  reKg*  jn,  both 
in  and  out  of  the  societies. 

Sunday  18,  in  love-feast,  the  power  oi 
God  was  displayed:  the  people  of  Go#  re- 
joiced>  and  som^  mourning  souls  were  joy- 


V-vV 


i 


m 


106., 

^f^ily  converted  to  God.  1  tmat  thai  .the 
whole  meeting  was  rendered  a  lasting  bless- 
ing to  many  precious  souls. 

Monday  19,  I  felt  great  (Consolation  in  my 
mind,  and  began  visiting,  and  contiuued  three 
days  successively,  and  found  it  profitableto 
my  own  soul,  and  I  have  jfg^on  to  believe 
that  il  was  profitable  to  many  others. 
Thursday  I  rode  to  Hudson,  and  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  evening,  four  miles  out  of 
town ;  there  ^re  many  in  this  place  that  ap- 
pear to  be  uader  strong  convictions  for  sin.; 
Friday  25, 1  preached  at  East  Camp  ;  I  had 
a  good  time  to  my  soul :  there  is  but  a  small 
society  in  this  place. 

Saturday  Q4, 1  returned  to  Hudson. 

Sunday  24, 1  preached  twice,  and  felt  thfa 
divine  asastance,  particularly  ip  the  aftc?*- 
noon.  In  class-meeting  we  found  four  soulf^ 
crying  fo  mercy.  After  meeting  I  visited  a 
sick  woman,  and  bapti^d  her  child '.%  after 
which  I  visited  a  member  of  our  society^  jKJ|p 
19  in  a  singular  situation  bpti)  in  bpiiy  and 
mind.  His  nervous  system  is  strangely  af- 
fected— his  body  is  remarkably  emapi^ed-r 
yeVbi^iinaginesthathe  shallliv^  a  thnusand 
.yfars.  Sonaetimes  he  thinks  heis  tbemiiii 
J^^mh  spoken  of  in  scripture;  sometimes  a 


if- 


a 


107 

reprobate,  consigned  4o  everlasting  misery. 
His  mind  appears  to  be  mo^  exquisitely  tor- 
tured. Such  another  deplorable  spectacle,  I 
never  saw,  and  God  grant  thatl-giay  never 
see  another  like  hiiii. 

"  This  quartllil  have  met  with  much  opposi- 
tion from  the  world,  and  from  lukewarm  Me- 
thodists: nevertheless,  we  have  had  matiy 
souls  happily  converted,  and  the  work  in 
general  is  very  prosperous.  God  is  enlarging 
oilr  borders  on  eveiry  side-,  we  have  takeuJn 
fourteen  new  appointments,  and  formed  a 
liumber  of  new  societies.  My  colleague  and 
niyself  have  laboured  in  the  greatest  union.^ 
I  have  never  travelled  with  any  man  that  hr«3 
attended  to  his  duty  on  the  circuit  more  faith-^ 
fully  than  he  has  done.  Our  societies  (a  few 
inSviduals  excepted)  the  last  quarter  have 
cb-pperated  with  me  in  the  execution  of  oiir 
rules  on  disorderly  members;  and  expressed 
an  anxious  concern  for  the  prosperity  of  our 
church.  I  did  expect  to  have  staye'd  another 
year  on  this  circuit,  and  the  people  expressed 
a  des&'e  that  I  should,  and  I  had  made  some  . 
pr^palratiohs  for  iti  inasmuch  as  I  had  been 
moved  firoin  one  to  two  hundred  miles  for  five 
years  successively,  I  thought  it  would  be  ad- 


¥ 


•  r 


iOS 


misBibl^  for  meiocpntfai^ue  here  another  year 
—but  it  was  ordered  otherwise. 

I  left  my  circuit  the  first  of  April,  in  order 
to  attend  general  ponference  in  New-Tork. 
The  conference  met  the  first  oiMtny,  1819: 
about  one  hundred  preacheri||||^tided,  i^ 
all  pavtliof  the  contin^t.  It  was  a  number 
c^days  oefore  we  got  the  conference  orgun* 
ized :  our  whole  sitting  continued  three 
weeks.  Some  new  reguj^titmst-wcre^iade, 
and  some  non^.i^sMAiiiml'alceratiQns  in  the  farm 
of  discipline,  as  in'ill  be  seen  in  the  pr^nt 
edition.  From  genial  confarence  1  went  to 
Connecticut,  and  being  much:  out  of  health, 
I  did  not  attend  the  annual  confer^ce  wUch 
was  held  ill  Albiany.    I  recmved  my  appoint^ 

nient  qpf^Mng  ci^^ 

Juiy^Tt^ 
cmiUfU^  a]x)Ut  six  months,  when  my  health 
had  goi  so  bad  that  I  was  under  the  necessity 
to  desist  Ipm  travelling.  How  I  shall  impend 
the  rest  of  my  shoti  life,  God  only  kiffif^ 
if  my  health  dbould  ever  be  sufl^eii|i||^i^ 
cu^llto  l^ravel  again ;  but  be  thi8i^||||i^. 


to  be  resigned  to  aU  Ihe  |h|  of 


^€ttiv^  and  clpsemy  days  inpeacel  Jppsif 


year 

wrder 
fork. 


in 
ifiber 

rgan^ 

three 

aade> 
form 
es^nt 
vaiio 
^tb, 
vlixik 

lealth 
easkf 

m  of 


-f" 


